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LIBRARY 


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THE  HISTORY 


OF 


TRURO  PARISH 

IN  VIRGINIA 


BY 


REV.  PHILIP  SLAUGHTER,  D  D. 


Edited 

With  Notes  and  Addenda 

By  REV.  EDWARD  L.   GOODWIN 

Historiographer  of  the  Diocese  of  Virginia 


PHILADELPHIA 

GEORGE  W.  JACOBS  &  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


Copyright,  1907,  by 
GEORGE  W.  JACOBS  &  COMPx\NY 


Published   January,   1908 


All  rights  reserved 
Printed  in  U.  S.  A. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

POHICK  CHURCH Frontispiece 

THE  OLD  VESTRY  BOOK Facing  Page     34 

PAYNES  CHURCH,  1 7G8-1862 "           "         50 

ORIGINAL  PLAN  OF  POHICK  CHURCH  "           "         82 
POHICK     CHURCH     IN     THE     OLDEN 

TIME "           "       136 


Introduction 

When  the  English  colonists  made  their  first  per- 
manent settlement  on  the  shores  of  Virginia  they 
came  to  establish  themselves  as  an  English  people 
in  America.  They  did  not  emigrate  for  purposes 
of  robbery,  nor  yet  to  escape  conditions  which 
were  not  to  their  liking  at  home,  but  they  brought 
with  them  all  they  could  of  the  old  England,  in- 
cluding, as  a  matter  of  course,  the  English  Church 
and  English  law,  ecclesiastical  and  civil.  They 
brought,  too,  as  the  event  was  to  prove,  the  Eng- 
lish genius  for  adapting  old  forms  of  government 
to  new  conditions  of  life.  Thus  in  process  of  time 
the  Parish  and  the  Vestry  in  Virginia  became 
quite  different  from  the  same  institutions  in  the 
old  country,  though  still  based  upon  the  broad 
sanctions  of  the  ecclesiastical  law  of  England.  The 
Parish  was  established  and  its  bounds  were  fixed 
lot  by  tradition,  but  by  statute,  and  the  Vestry, 
from  an  annual  meeting  of  all  the  ratepayers  to 
choose  Churchwardens  and  discuss  parochial  af- 
fairs, became  practically  a  close  corporation  of 
twelve  of  "The  most  able  and  discreet  persons"  in 
the  Parish.  These  divided  with  the  County  Court 
the  responsibility  of  local  government,  having  as 


INTRODUCTION 

their  especial  charge  the  maintenance  of  reUgion 
and  the  oversight  of  all  things  pertaining  thereto 
in  the  domain  of  charity  and  morals.  These  Ves- 
trymen were  described  by  Jefferson  as  being 
''Usually  the  most  discreet  farmers,  so  distributed 
through  their  Parish  that  every  part  of  it  may 
be  under  the  eye  of  some  one  of  them.  They  are 
well  acquainted  with  the  details  and  economy  of 
private  life,  and  they  find  sufficient  inducements 
to  execute  their  charge  well  in  their  philanthropy, 
in  the  approbation  of  their  neighbors,  and  the  dis- 
tinction which  that  gives  them." 

No  Parish  in  the  Colony  had  a  Vestry  more  dis- 
tinguished in  its  personnel,  or  more  fully  qualified 
for  their  positions,  than  the  Parish  of  Truro.  Of 
its  earlier  members  indeed  little  has  come  down  to 
us  but  their  names  inscribed  on  almost  every  page 
of  the  scant  records  remaining  to  tell  of  the  settle- 
ment of  these  upper  reaches  of  the  ''Northern 
Neck,"  and  the  estabHshment  of  religion  and  civi- 
lization in  what  was  then  but  a  wilderness.  But 
later  her  Vestrymen  are  found  ranking  among  the 
first  gentlemen  of  Virginia  in  position  and  influ- 
ence. Eleven  of  them  sat  at  various  times  in  the 
House  of  Burgesses.  Two  of  them,  the  Fairfaxes, 
were  members  of  "His  Majesty's  Council  for  Vir- 
ginia." Another  of  her  Vestrymen  was  George 
Mason,  one  of  the  first  among  the  founders  of 
the  State  and  the  great  political  thinkers  of  his 
age;  while  still  another  was  declared   to  be  the 


INTRODUCTION 

''Greatest  man  of  any  age,"  the  imperial  George 
Washington. 

These  men,  however  exalted  their  native  genius, 
had  and  needed  to  have  their  period  of  training, 
that  their  characters  might  be  matured  on  lines 
of  piety  and  righteousness,  their  opinions  formed 
in  full  view  of  the  needs  and  capacities  of  their 
people,  and  their  abilities  ripened  in  the  fields  of 
practical  experience.  They  received  this  training 
in  part  as  Parish  Vestrymen.  It  was  no  mean 
school  in  which  to  learn  the  rudiments  of  popular 
government,  the  foundations  of  human  rights,  or 
the  reconciliation  of  diverse  policies. 

The  Vestry  Records  of  Truro  Parish  have  there- 
fore a  value  quite  unique  as  the  sole  and  absolutely 
authentic  record  of  the  parochial  administration 
and  government  of  these  great  men.  The  afifairs 
which  occupied  their  attention  seem  small  indeed 
as  compared  with  those  which  afterward  demanded 
the  consecration  of  their  powers,  but  they  brought 
to  them  the  same  practical  wisdom,  scrupulous 
justice  and  exact  attention  to  detail  which  char- 
acterized them  later  as  master  workmen  in  making 
the  history  and  building  the  liberties  of  a  nation. 

For  the  recovery  and  preservation  of  these 
records  we  are  indebted  to  the  late  Reverend 
Doctor  PhiHp  Slaughter,  Clergyman,  Genealogist, 
Antiquarian  and  Historian,  whose  name  will  long 
be  held  in  affectionate  remembrance  in  Virginia. 
He  was  the  author  of  no  large  work,  but  his  his- 

iii 


INTRODUCTION 

tories  of  St.  George's,  Bristol,  and  St.  Mark's 
Parishes,  and  very  many  pamphlets,  articles  and 
published  addresses,  combine  to  form  a  great  con- 
tribution to  the  historical  collections  of  his  native 
State,  and  an  enduring  monument  to  his  memory. 
A  few  years  before  his  death  he  was  so  fortunate 
as  to  discover  the  whereabouts  of  the  old  Vestry- 
Book  of  Truro  Parish  which  had  been  lost  to  sight 
for  three-quarters  of  a  century,  and  did  not  rest 
until  it  came  into  his  possession.  He  afterwards 
committed  it  to  the  Vestry  of  Pohick  Church,  ac- 
cepting only  the  small  sum  in  return  which  it  had 
cost  him  to  acquire  it,  but  not  before  he  had  com- 
piled from  its  time-worn  pages  the  History  of 
Truro  Parish  which  is  here  presented  to  the 
reader.  It  was  almost  his  last  Hterary  labor,  and 
indeed  the  infirmities  of  age  forbade  his  giving  the 
work  of  his  amanuenses  his  final  revision  and  cor- 
rections. The  incomplete  manuscript  was  en- 
trusted to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  A.  WalHs,  then 
Rector  of  Pohick,  to  be  published  when  the  means 
for  doing  so  should  be  forthcoming. 

At  the  request  of  Dr.  Wallis  I  have  prepared  the 
history  for  publication.  The  manuscript  has  been 
wholly  re-written;  more  copious  extracts  from  the 
records  of  the  Vestry  have  been  incorporated,  so 
that  it  now  includes  all  that  is  of  general  value  in 
the  Vestry-Book,  the  language  and  spelling  of 
which  have  been  preserved;  a  few  errors  and  over- 
sights have  been  found  and  corrected;  and  in  one 

iv 


INTRODUCTION 

place,  for  reasons  noted  in  the  text,  a  number  of 
pages  of  my  own  have  been  inserted  in  Heu  of  the 
author's.  With  these  exceptions  the  continuous 
narrative  is  as  nearly  as  possible  as  Dr.  Slaughter 
wrote  it.  My  own  additions  otherwise  appear  in 
the  form  of  foot-notes  and  addenda. 

EDWARD  L.  GOODWIN. 

The  Rectory, 

Fairfax,  Virginia. 


The  Genesis  of  Truro  Parish 

Among  the  prominent  features  in  the  physiog- 
nomy of  Eastern  Virginia  are  the  great  rivers 
which  run  from  the  blue  mountains  and  pour  their 
streams  into  the  bosom  of  the  "Mother  of 
Waters,"  as  the  Indians  called  the  Chesapeake 
Bay.  Along  these  rivers,  which  were  then  the 
only  roads,  the  first  settlers  penetrated  the  wilder- 
ness. This  explains  the  seeming  anomaly,  that 
the  first  Parishes  and  counties  often  included  both 
sides  of  broad  rivers,  it  being  easier  to  go  to  Court 
and  to  Church  by  water,  than  through  forests  by 
what  were  called  in  those  days  "bridle  paths." 
Hence  Parishes  were  often  sixty  or  more  miles 
long  and  of  little  breadth.  The  space  between  the 
rivers  was  called  "Necks."  Among  the  most  his- 
toric of  these  was  the  Northern  Neck,  which  in- 
cluded all  the  land  between  the  Potomac  and  the 
Rappahannock  rivers  from  their  head  springs  to 
the  Chesapeake  Bay.  This  was  the  princely  plan- 
tation of  Lord  Fairfax.  Within  this  territory  were 
the  seats  of  the  Fairfaxes,  Washingtons,  Masons, 
McCartys,  Fitzhughs,  Brents,  Alexanders,  Lew- 
ises, Mercers,  Daniels,  Carters,  Dades,  Stuarts, 
Corbins,    Tayloes,    Steptoes,    Newtons,    Browns, 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Lees,  Thorntons,  Balls,  Smiths,  and  other  leading 
families  too  many  to  mention,  who  dispensed  an 
elegant  hospitality  at  Northumberland  House, 
Nomini,  Stratford,  Chantilly,  Mount  Airy,  Sabine 
Hall,  Bedford,  Albion,  Cedar  Grove,  Boscobel. 
Richland,  Maryborough,  Woodstock,  Gunston, 
Belvoir,  Woodlawn,  Mount  Vernon,  etc.  Begin- 
ning at  Lancaster,  county  was  taken  from  county. 
Parish  from  Parish,  as  the  population  of  each 
passed  the  frontiers,  until  in  1730  Prince  William 
was  taken  from  Stafford  and  King  George  Coun- 
ties, above  Chappawansick  Creek  and  Deep  Run, 
and  along  the  Potomac,  to  the  ''Great  Mountains." 
This  became  also  Hamilton  Parish;  which  Parish, 
by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  at  the 
Session  of  May,  1732,  to  take  effect  the  first  of  the 
following  November,  was  divided  into  two  Par- 
ishes ''By  the  river  Ockoquan,  and  the  Bull  Run, 
(a  branch  thereof,)  and  a  course  from  thence  to  the 
Indian  Thoroughfare  of  the  Blue  Ridge  of  Moun- 
tains," (Ashby's  Gap.)  All  that  part  of  Prince 
William  lying  below  the  said  bounds  was  to  retain 
the  name  of  Hamilton,  "And  all  that  other  part  of 
the  said  county,  which  lies  above  those  bounds, 
shall  hereafter  be  called  and  known  by  the  name 
of  Truro."  The  Parish  was  named  after  the  Parish 
in  Cornwall,  in  England,  which  is  now^  the  Diocese 
of  Truro. 

Such   is  the   genesis   of  the   Parish   of  Truro, 
which    extended    along    the    Potomac    from    the 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

mouth  of  Occoquan  to  the  Bhie  Ridge,  including 
what  are  now  the  Parishes  of  Truro,  Cameron, 
Fairfax  and  Shelburne.*  Within  this  territory 
there  were  three  churches.  Occoquan,  WilHam 
Gunnells,  and  a  chapel  "above  Goose  Creek." 

The  present  writer  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to 
find  the  old  Vestry  Book  of  Truro  Parish;  so  long 
lost  to  the  public  eye  that  even  Bishop  Meade 
said  he  could  ''hear  no  tidings"  of  it  and  was  con- 
strained to  construct  his  sketch  of  the  Parish  from 
such  facts  and  traditions  as  he  could  gather  from 
other  sources  and  from  his  own  rich  personal 
knowledge.  It  is  now  possible  for  the  first  time 
to  authenticate  its  history  by  its  own  records, 
which  are  continuous  from  1732  to  1785,  when  the 
civil  functions  of  the  Vestries  were  devolved  by 
law  upon  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor.  This  book 
also  contains  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Overseers  of  the  Poor  from  1787  to  1802,  thus 
handing  down  the  names  of  persons,  many  of 
whom  had  been  Vestrymen  of  the  Church. 

The  Vestry  Book  opens  with  a  recitation  of  the 
Act  of  the  General  Assembly  instituting  the  Par- 
ish, the  election  of  the  Vestry  and  the  proceedings 
of  their  first  meeting.  The  Act  of  Assembly  pre- 
scribed that  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  should  sum- 
mon the  freeholders  and  housekeepers  to  meet  and 
elect  so  many  of  the  "most  able  and  discreet  per- 

*These  are  Colonial  Parishes.  Those  of  more  recent  foundation 
in  the  same  territory  are  Johns,  Upper  Truro,  McGill,  and  a  part 
of  Meade. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

sons  in  the  said  Parish  as  shall  make  up  the  num- 
ber of  Vestrymen  in  the  said  Parish  twelve  and  no 
more."  Which  order  being  complied  with,  "Five 
of  the  Vestrymen  elected,  to  witt,  Charles  Broad- 
water, Richard  Osborn,  John  Lewis,  Gabriel 
Adams,  and  Edward  Emms,  together  with  Denis 
Mc.Carty,  John  Heryford,  and  Edward  Barry, 
having  taken  the  oaths  appointed  by  law,  and  Sub- 
scribed to  be  conformable  to  the  doctrine  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  Church  of  England,  took  their 
places  in  the  Vestry  accordingly."  The  first  Vestry 
met  on  November  7th,  1732,  with  the  above  gen- 
tlemen present.  Edward  Barry  was  nominated  for 
Clerk,  and  "the  question  was  put  whether  the  said 
Barry  should  enjoy  the  place  or  not,  which  was 
carried  in  the  said  Barry's  favour.  And  he  was 
thereupon  sworn,  and  took  his  place  accordingly." 
He  was  ordered  to  "provide  paper  &  books  for  the 
minutes  and  orders  of  this  Vestry,  and  that  he  be 
paid  for  the  same  at  the  laying  of  the  next  parish 
levy."  John  Heryford  and  Edward  Emms  were 
chosen  Churchwardens  for  that  year,  and  "were 
sworn  accordingly."  At  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Vestry,  held  March  26,  1733,  John  Sturman  and 
Giles  Tillett  were  added  to  the  Vestry,  and  there 
were  present  also  Francis  Aubrey  and  William 
Godfrey,  not  previously  mentioned.  It  was  "Or- 
dered, that  the  Churchwardens  give  publick  notice 
to  workmen  to  appear  at  the  next  Vestry  to  be 
held  for  this  parish  to  agree  for  the  building  of  a 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Church  at  the  cross  roads  near  Michael  Reagans 
in  this  parish."  At  the  meeting  on  April  i6,  1733, 
Michael  Ashford  took  the  oaths  and  subscribed  the 
test  as  a  Vestryman.  An  agreement  was  made 
with  the  Rev.  Lawrence  De  Butts  to  preach  three 
times  a  month  for  one  year,  ''at  Occoquan  Church, 
the  new  Church,  or  William  GunnelFs,  and  at  the 
Chappell  above  Goose  Creek,*  for  the  sum  of 
eight  thousand  pounds  of  tobacco  clear  of  the 
Warehouse  charges  and  abatements, — And  the 
said  De  Butts  doth  further  agree  to  and  with  the 
Vestry  aforesaid,  that  in  case  he  fails,  or  is  by  the 
weather  prevented  to  preach  at  any  of  the  places 
aforesaid,  any  of  the  times  aforesaid,  tobacco  shall 
only  be  levied  for  him  in  proportion  to  his  service." 
Mr.  De  Butts  seems  to  have  been  a  bird  of  pass- 
age. From  1 72 1  to  about  1728  he  was  Minister 
of  Washington  Parish  in  Westmoreland  County, 
where  he  had  two  churches,  and  also  officiated  dur- 
ing the  week  in  the  neighboring  Parishes  of  St. 


♦Occoquan  Church,  which  Dr.  Slaughter  could  not  identify,  was 
none  other  than  the  old  Pohick  Church,  which  stood  about  two 
miles  from  the  ferry  over  the  Occoquan  at  or  near  Colchester,  "^'hen 
this  Church  was  built  is  not  known,  but  it  was  first  an  "Upper 
Church,"  or  Chapel-of-Ease,  in  Overwharton  Parish.  When  Ham- 
ilton Parish  was  formed,  January  1,  1730,  it  was  ordered  that  the 
freeholders  and  housekeepers  meet  "At  the  Church  above  Occoquan 
ferry"  to  elect  their  Vestry,  "above"  meaning-  up  the  Potomac. 
When  Truro  was  set  apart  two  years  later  this  Church  falls  again 
in  a  new  Parish.  After  the  year  1733  the  name  Occoquan  disap- 
pears and  that  of  Pohick  is  substituted.  The  Church  stood  until 
superseded   by   the   new   or  present   Pohick   in   1774. 

"William  Gunnell's  Church"  was  probably  a  temporary,  or  per- 
haps a  rented,  buildiner,  and  may  have  been  situated  not  far  below 
Difficult  Run,  as  the  Gunnells  owned  land  in  that  vicinity.  It  dis- 
appears after  the  building  of  the  "Church  near  Michael  Reagan's," 
and  may  be  considered  the  first  Falls  Church.  The  location  of  the 
"Chapel  above  Goose  Creek"  is  not  known.  It  was  still  unfinished 
at  this  time,  being  completed  in  1736. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Stephen's,  Northumberland;  Farnham,  Richmond 
County;  and  Cople,  Westmoreland,  when  they 
were  vacant.  In  1731  he  w^as  employed  m  St. 
Mark's  Parish,  Culpepper  County,  at  500  pounds 
of  tobacco  a  sermon,  and  now  is  in  Truro  for  one 
year.'^  At  the  expiration  of  this  engagement  he 
seems  to  have  preached  eight  sermons  in  the  Par- 
ish, for  which  he  received  245  pounds  of  tobacco 
per  sermon,  and  then  he  disappears  from  the 
record,  having,  wc  believe,  gone  to  Maryland. 

1733,  June  9th,  Mr.  Richard  Blackburn  agreed 
with  the  Vestry  to  build  a  Church  at  the  Cross 
Roads  near  Michael  Reagan's,  "Forty  feet  in 
length,  two  and  twenty  feet  wide,  and  thirteen  feet 
pitch,  to  be  weather  boarded,  covered,  and  all  the 
inside  work  perform'd  and  done  after  the  same 
manner  the  work  upon  Pohick  Church  is  done,  for 
the  sum  of  thirty-three  thousand  five  hundred 
pounds  of  tobacco."  William  Godfrey  and  Michael 
Ashford  were  "to  take  care  that  the  work  upon 
the  Church  be  well  and  sufificiently  done  and  per- 
formed."!     I2th.    October:   Jeremiah   Bronaugh, 


♦Paul  Leicester  Ford,  in  "The  True  George  Washing-ton."  sup- 
poses that  this  Mr.  De  Butts  officiated  at  the  baptism  of  Washing- 
ton. It  is  most  improbable  that  such  was  the  case.  George  "U^ash- 
ington  was  born  in  Washington  Parish,  Westmoreland  County.  Feb- 
ruary 11th,  1731-2  (Old  style,)  and  was  baptized  the  third  of  April 
following,  according  to  the  record  in  the  family  Bible.  Mr.  De 
Butts  had  left  Westmoreland  several  years  before,  and  was  now 
officiating  in   Truro   Parish. 

tThis  was  known  as  the  "Upper  Church"  until  1757.  when  the 
name  "Falls  Church"  is  first  applied  to  it  in  the  Vestry  Book,  prob- 
ably to  distinguish  it  more  clearly  from  the  Church  in  Alexandria. 
The  Church  was  apparently  built  on  land  to  which  no  title  had  been 
acquired,  for  in  1746  the  Church  Wardens  were  directed  to  pay 
John  Trammel  fifty  shillings  sterling  for  two  acres  of  land  at  the 
Upper    Church,    and    on    the    19th    of    March    of   that    year    Trammel 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

William  Peake,  John  Farguson  and  Thomas  Lewis 
were  chosen  Vestrymen  in  the  room  of  several  de- 
ceased members,  and  qualified  and  took  their 
places  accordingly.  Joseph  Johnson  was  chosen 
"Reader  at  the  new  Church  and  the  Chapell  above 
Goose  Creek,"  to  receive  1300  pounds  of  tobacco 
"provided  he  does  his  duty  in  his  office."  In  the 
Parish  Levy  for  this  year  provision  is  made  for 
2500  pounds  of  tobacco  to  Capt.  Francis  Aubrey 
towards  building  the  chapel  above  Goose  Creek, 
and  the  next  year  the  same  amount,  and  in  1735, 
4000  pounds  for  finishing  said  chapel. 

1734,  nth.  May;  James  Baxter  was  chosen  a 
Vestryman  and  qualified.  Ordered  that  Edward 
Emms,  the  upper  Churchwarden,  give  notice  to 
Capt.  John  Colvill  to  appear  at  a  Vestry  to  be  held 
at  Pohick  Church  on  the  4th.  of  June  next,  to 
take  the  oath  of  a  Vestryman,  if  he  shall  think  fit 
to  accept  of  the  office."  Jeremiah  Bronaugh,  John 
Farguson  and  James  Baxter  were  appointed  to 
view  the  land  offered  for  a  Glebe  by  William  God- 
frey, French  Mason,  William  Hall,  George  Har- 
rison, and  Burr  Harrison,  and  any  other  land  that 
shall  be  offered  by  any  other  person,  and  to  report 
to  the  Vestry.  On  the  4th.  of  June  John  Colvill 
Gent,  was  sworn  and  took  his  seat  as  a  Vestryman. 
There  is  a  note  on  the  margin  here  signed  "C. 


made  them  a  deed,  now  on  record  at  the  Clerk's  office  at  Fairfax, 
conveying  two  acres — "where  the  upper  Church  now  is,  to  be  laid 
off  in  such  manner  as  the  Vestry  shall  think  proper,  to  include  the 
said  Church,  churchyard  and  spring,  and  all  appurtenances  to  the 
said   premises." 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

G."  (Rev.  Charles  Green,)  in  these  words:  ''Capt. 
Colvill  appears  to  have  been  a  13th  Vestryman. 
This  is  noted  because  when  a  Burgess  for  this 
County  he  promoted  ye  dissolution  of  the  Vestry 
as  illegal, — himself  the  only  illegal  Vestryman." 
John  Heryford  offered  to  sell  300  acres  of  land, 
"Scituate,  Lying  and  being  upon  Accotink,  and 
near  the  plantation  of  David  Jones,"  for  a  Glebe, 
for  12000  pounds  of  tobacco.  It  was  ordered  that 
the  land  be  laid  off  at  the  cost  of  said  Heryford, 
and  that  John  Sturman  provide  Deeds  of  Lease 
and  Release  for  conveying  the  land  sold  to  this 
parish  for  a  Glebe.  The  Churchwardens  were  or- 
dered to  receive  of  Wm.  Godfrey  5000  pounds  of 
tobacco  he  had  assumed  to  pay  to  this  parish  for 
the  parish  of  Hamilton. 

"At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro  Parish  on  the  23d. 
day  of  7ber,  1734, — \Miereas  John  Colvill  Gent, 
one  of  the  members  of  this  Vestry,  is  in  a  short 
time  bound  for  Great  Brittain,  and  hath  promised 
us  that  he  will  use  his  interest  to  procure  a  dis- 
creet and  Godly  Minister  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, to  come  over  and  settle  in  our  said  parish. 
And  further  that  he  will  accommodate  any  such 
person  with  a  free  passage  hither,  on  board  any 
of  his  ships,  if  he  is  ready  to  come  in  any  of  them, 
and  will  accept  of  the  same.  We  do  therefore 
hereby  impower  and  desire  the  said  John  Colvill 
to  negotiate  the  said  affair  in  our  behalf,  either  by 
making  application  to  his  Grace  the  Lord  Bishop 

8 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  London,  or  by  treating  with  any  gentleman 
qualified  as  aforesaid  in  his  private  capacity,  who 
shall  be  willing  to  come  over  and  settle  here.  And 
we  do  agree  to  accept  of,  and  provide  for  him,  in 
as  full  and  ample  manner  as  the  law  of  this  Colony 
directs."  Signed  by  the  Churchwardens  and  the 
five  additional  Vestrymen  present.* 

1734.  Oct.  nth.  After  the  expiration  of  the 
year  for  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Butts  had  been 
employed  he  seems  to  have  preached  occasionally 
in  the  Parish,  for  at  a  Vestry  of  this  date  provision 
was  made  for  paying  him  IQ/O  pounds  of  tobacco 
"for  preaching  eight  sermons."  Payment  was 
also  ordered  for  Mr.  Catesby  Cocke  for  "Clerks 
Fees,"  to  John  Trammell  for  "grubing  a  place  for 
the  Church,"  to  John  Massey  for  "keeping  a  house 
for  the  minister  to  preach  in,"  and  to  the  Church- 
wardens "to  buy  tarr  for  the  Churches."  The 
salary  of  "each  Reader  in  this  parish"  was  fixed  for 
the  next  year  at  1000  pounds  of  tobacco. 

1735.  Nov.  1 8th.  "Augustine  Washington 
gent,  being  this  day  sworn  one  of  the  members  of 
this  Vestry,  took  his  place  therein  accordingly." 
"C.  G."  interlines  this  note :  "A.  W.  a  fourteenth 
Vestryman,  father  to  L.  W.  the  other  Burgess 
when  Truro  Vestrv  was  dissolved. "f 


•Nothing  more  is  found  in  the  Vestry  Book  in  regard  to  this 
effort  to  procure  a  minister  from  England.  Doubtless  it  was  for- 
tunate  for  the   Parish   that  the   plan,   for  some  reason,   miscarried. 

tFather  also  of  George  Washington,  who  inherited  Mount  Vernon 
from  his  brother,  Lawrence  Washington,  the  Burgess  here  in- 
dicated. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO,  PARISH 

Payment  was  ordered  to  Catesby  Cocke,  for  re- 
cording deeds  and  copies  of  the  lists  of  tithables 
in  the  Parish,*  i68  pounds  of  tobacco;  to  Edward 
Barry,  Clerk  of  the  Church,  (Pohick,)  and  Vestry, 
1500  pounds;  to  Samuel  Hull,  Clerk  of  the 
Chapel  above  Goose  Creek,  and  Joseph  John- 
son, Clerk  of  the  new  Church,  1000  pounds  each, 
and  to  Oliver  Roe,  Sexton  at  Pohick,  300 
pounds. 

''At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro  Parish  the  19th. 
day  of  August,  1736, — Mr.  Charles  Green,  being 
recommended  to  this  Vestry  by  Capt.  Augusti'  je 
Washington  as  a  person  qualified  to  officiate  as  a 
Minister  of  this  Parish  as  soon  as  he  shall  receive 
orders  from  his  Grace  the  Bishop  of  London  to 
qualify  himself  for  the  same.  It  is  therefore  or- 
dered by  this  Vestry,  that  as  soon  as  the  said 
Green  has  qualified  himself  as  aforesaid,  he  be  re- 
ceived and  entertained  as  Minister  of  the  said  Par- 
ish. And  the  said  Vestry  do  humbly  recommend 
the  said  Charles  Green  to  the  Right  Honorable 
Thomas  Lord  Fairfax  for  his  Letters  of  recom- 
mendation and  Presentation  to  his  Grace  the  said 


♦All  male  persons  of  the  age  of  sixteen  years  or  upwards,  and 
also  neg-ro,  mulatto  and  Indian  women  of  like  age.  ("'except  tribu- 
tary Indians  to  this  government,".)  were  '"tithable"  or  chargeable 
for  county  and  parish  levies.  But  the  Court  or  Vestry,  "for  reasons 
in  charity,"  could  excuse  indigent  persons  from  payment,  and  this 
was  frequently  done.  In  1733  there  were  676  tithables  in  Truro, 
Ten  years  later  there  were  1.372.  This  indicates  the  growth  of  the 
population.  The  Parish  Levy  varied  widely  year  by  year,  the  aver- 
age   being   about    34    pounds   of   tobacco  per    poll. 

lO 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Lord  Bishop  of  London  to  qualify  him  as  afore- 
said. 

Jeremiah  Bronaugh,  Church  Warden. 
Denis  Mc.Carty  Wilhn.  Godfrey 

August.  Washington        James  Baxter 
Richd.  Osborn  Edward  Barry 

John  Sturman  Thos.  Lewis." 

October  nth.  The  Vestry  met  and  made  the 
usual  appropriations  for  the  officers  of  the  Church 
and  for  the  support  of  the  poor.  They  also  made 
a  bargain  with  the  Rev.  John  Holmes  to  officiate 
in  the  Parish,  in  these  words: — "Ordered  that  the 
].evd.  Mr.  John  Holmes  be  received  and  enter- 
tained in  this  Parish,  as  Minister  thereof;  and  that 
he  be  provided  for  as  the  Law  directs."  Further, 
it  was  "Ordered  that  the  Reverend  Mr.  John 
Holmes  Minister  of  this  Parish  preach  six  times 
in  each  year  at  the  Chappell  above  Goose  Creek: 
and  it  is  also  ordered,  that  the  Sundays  he  preaches 
at  the  said  Chappell  the  sermon  shall  be  taken 
from  the  new  Church."  At  the  bottom  of  the  page 
is  the  following  note,  signed  Cha.  Green; — "The 
Levity  of  the  Members  of  the  Vestry  is  worth 
notice.  They  applyed  to  Collo.  Colvill  &  entered 
an  order,  23d.  Sept.  1734  for  him  to  procure  them 
a  Clergyman  from  England.  By  the  order  on  the 
other  page  they  gave  Cha.  Green  a  title  to  the 
Psh.  when  ordained,  and  he  had  scarcely  left  the 
country  when  they  received  Mr.  John  Holmes 
into  the  parish  as  appears  by  the  above  order. 

II 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

N.  B.  Mr.  Holmes  was  an  Itinerant  Preacher  with- 
out any  orders,  &  reed,  contrary  to  Law." 

This  note  was  made  after  Mr.  Green  became 
Rector  of  the  Parish.  The  foregoing  entries  are 
the  only  evidence  of  the  connection  of  Messrs. 
De  Butts  and  Holmes  with  the  Parish.  These 
facts  were  unknown  to  Bishop  Meade,  who  never 
saw  this  record.  This  book  also  reveals  the  fact 
that  the  Rev.  James  Keith,  of  Hamilton  Parish, 
the  Grandfather  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  also 
officiated  in  this  Parish,  when  it  was  without  a 
minister.  At  this  very  Vestry  an  order  was  en- 
tered to  pay  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Keith  10,544 
pounds  of  tobacco  for  services  rendered. 

On  the  1 2th  of  April,  1737,  a  long  contract  with 
minute  specifications  is  recorded  with  William 
Berkeley  for  building  a  "Mansion  house"  on  the 
Glebe,  with  kitchen,  barn,  dairy,  meat  house,  and 
all  other  appurtenances  to  a  w^ell  furnished  coun- 
try residence.  The  specifications  as  to  the  quality 
of  the  timber,  the  style  of  the  work,  etc.,  would 
be  a  suggestive  and  profitable  study  for  modern 
Vestrymen.  The  cost  of  the  buildings  was  to  be 
36,500  pounds  of  tobacco.  Berkeley's  bond,  to 
Jeremiah  Bronaugh  and  Thomas  Lewis,  Church 
Wardens,  with  Lewis  Ellzey,  Hugh  West,  George 
Harrison,  and  John  Minor  as  bondsmen,  and  Val. 
Peyton,  Abraham  Saintclare  and  Joseph  Cash  as 
witnesses,  is  also  recorded  in  the  Vestry  Book.  At 
the  same  time  an  agreement  was  made  with  John 

12 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Summers  to  "pale  in  the  yard  about  the  new 
Church  after  the  same  manner  the  yard  about  the 
Church  at  Pohick  is  paled  in,  (only  the  pails  to  be 
sawed,)  to  make  good  and  sufficient  shutters  for 
the  windows  of  the  said  Church,  and  to  make  and 
erect  two  good  and  substantial  horse  blocks,"  for 
3000  pounds  of  tobacco. 

The   Rev.    Charles   Green,    M.    D., 

The  First  Regular  Rector 

OF  Truro  Parish. 

The  Vestry  which  met  on  the  13th  of  August, 
1737,  was  the  first  which  was  held  under  the  aus- 
pices of  a  regular  Rector,  and  the  following  pro- 
ceedings w^ere  entered  on  the  minutes : 

''Whereas  at  a  Vestry  held  for  this  Parish  on 
the  nineteenth  day  of  August  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  thirty  six,  the  now  Reverend  Mr. 
Charles  Green  was  recommended  to  the  Right 
Honorable  Thomas  Lord  Fairfax,  for  his  presen- 
tation of  the  said  Green  to  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London  for  his  ordination.  And  it  now  appearing 
to  this  Vestry,  as  well  by  the  letter  of  the  Honor- 
able William  Gooch  Esqr.  Lieutenant  Governor 
of  Virginia,  as  the  letter  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
James  Blair  Commissary,  that  the  said  Green  is 
regularly  and  legally  ordained.  It  is  therefore 
ordered  by  this  Vestry,  that  the  said  Green  be 
received  into,  and  entertained  as  Minister  of,  this 

13 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

parish;  and  that  he  be  provided  for,  as  the  laws  of 
this  Colony  direct."* 

This  being  passed  there  is  noted  as  ''Present, 
the  reverend  Mr.  Charles  Green  Minister." 

"Ordered,  that  the  Church  Wardens  place  the 
people  that  are  not  already  placed,  in  Pohick  and 
the  new  Churches,  in  pews,  according  to  their 
several  ranks  and  degrees." 

"Ordered,  that  the  sum  of  two  thousand  five 
hundred  pounds  of  tobacco  be  yearly  levied  for 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Charles  Green,  until  the  build- 
ings that  are  to  be  erected  upon  the  Glebe  be  com- 
pleated  according  to  agreement  made  with  the 
undertaker." 

"Ordered,  that  the  Reverend  Mr.  Charles 
Green  preach  four  times  in  a  year  only,  at  the 
Chappell  above  Goose  Crek.  And  that  the  Sun- 
day he  preaches  at  the  said  Chappell,  the  sermon 
shall  be  taken  from  the  new  Church." 

At  a  Vestry  on  the  third  day  of  October,  1737. 
the  usual  appropriations  for  the  salaries  of  the 
minister  and  other  officers  of  the  Church,  and  for 
the  poor  and  other  current  expenses  of  the  Parish, 


♦The  Rev.  Mr.  Green  was  a  Doctor  of  Medicine  before  he  took 
orders,  and  appears  to  have  practised  to  some  extent  afterwards. 
On  at  least  one  occasion  he  was  called  in  at  Mount  Vernon,  for 
lack  of  a  regular  practitioner,  and  prescribed  for  the  relief  of  Mrs. 
Washing-ton.  He  was  a  large  landowner,  and  his  Deeds,  in  which 
he  is  described  as  Doctor  of  Physic  and  Clerk  of  Truro  Parish,  are 
of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  land  records  of  the  County,  In  his 
latter  years  his  health  appears  to  have  been  poor.  In  his  will,  pro- 
bated August  19th.  1765,  he  leaves  3,000  acres  of  land,  lying  in 
Fairfax,  Prince  William  and  Loudoun,  to  his  wife.  He  also  men- 
tions certain  relatives  in  Ireland,  and  advises  his  wife  to  return 
to  that  country,  from  which  it  is  supposed  that  he  was  an  Irish- 
man. 

14 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

were  made,  amounting  to  38.383  pounds  of  tobac- 
co.    The   Parish   Lev)^  was  at   the   rate   of  42^^ 
pounds  per  Poll.    The  next  year  it  was  45  pounds. 
Among  the  appropriations  made  were; 
To   the    Rev.    Charles   Green, 

Minister,  salary/*' 16729  lbs.  tol)acco. 

To  Mr.  Joseph  Blumfield,t  to 

be  paid  Rev.  Chas.  Green.  .    1597    "  '' 

To  Edward  Washington,  Sub 

Sheriff,  per  account 300    "  '' 

To  Francis  Aubrey  gent,  for 
finding  books  for  the  Chap- 
pell   200    "  " 

To  buy  ornaments  for  the 
Churches  and  books  for  the 
Chappell,     and     Plate     for 

Communion   8000    " 

To   Mr.    Richard    O shorn    for 

taring  the  Churches,  &c....    iioo    ''  '' 

To    Edward    Emms    for    sali- 
vating James  Boilstone.  .  .  .    1000    "  " 
The    Readers    at    the    churches    received    their 
usual  1000  pounds,  and  the  Sextons  500.     A  com- 

*The  Ministers  salary  was  fixed  by  the  law  of  1696  at  16.000 
pounds  of  tobacco.  In  1727  the  "cask"  was  added,  for  which  an 
addition  of  eight  per  cent,  was  allowed;  though  for  some  reason  in 
Truro  only  four  per  cent,  was  added  for  cask,  and  Mr.  Green's  sal- 
ary after  this  time  was  16,640  pounds,  until  in  1748  an  additional 
four  per  cent,  was  allowed  for  "shrinkage."  Thereafter  the  salary 
was  17.280  pounds,  with,  of  course,  the  Glebe  and  buildings  de- 
manded by  law.  The  value  of  a  Minister's  "Living"  depended  not 
a  little  on  the  quality  of  the  tobacco  raised  in  his  Parish.  Com- 
missary Blair  used  to  distinguish  between  "Sweet-scented"  and 
"Oronoco"    Parishes. 

fThe  Rev.  Mr.  Blumfleld,  who  seems  to  have  performed  occa- 
sional ministerial  services  in  the  parish  before  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Green. 

15 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

mission  of  6  per  cent,  was  paid  for  collecting  the 
levy. 

"Whereas  the  Rev.  Charles  Green  hath  this  day 
agreed  with  the  Vestry  to  take  the  tobacco  levied 
to  purchase  books  for  the  Chappell  above  Goose 
Creek  and  ornaments  for  the  Churches,  at  the 
rate  of  eleven  shillings  current  money  per  hun- 
dred. He  by  the  said  agreement  obliging  himself 
to  find  and  provide  the  said  books  and  ornaments, 
being  allowed  fifty  per  cent,  upon  the  first  cost  in 
accounting  with  the  Church  Wardens.  It  is  or- 
dered that  the  collector  pay  to  the  said  Green  the 
sum  of  8000  pounds  of  tobacco,  it  being  the  quan- 
tity this  day  levied  for  the  purpose  aforesaid."  Mr. 
Green  also  contracted  to  build  the  addition  to  the 
Glebe  house  for  the  sum  appropriated. 

Among  the  offices  of  the  Church  Wardens  was 
the  duty  of  binding  orphan  and  other  indigent 
children  as  Apprentices;  and  ten  pages  of  the  Ves- 
try Book  at  this  period  are  filled  with  Indentures. 
Their  specifications  in  regard  to  the  duties  and 
morals  of  those  apprenticed,  their  being  taught  to 
read  English  and  the  ''Art  and  mystery"  of  shoe- 
making,  or  of  a  Carpenter,  or  Cooper,  etc.,  are 
curious  illustrations  of  the  times. 

At  a  Vestry  held  6th.  of  October,  1740,  a  peti- 
tion was  presented  from  ^^'illiam  Fairfax  Esqr. 
Catesby  Cocke,  Gent,  and  Charles  Green,  Doctor 
of  Physick,  ''setting  forth  that  the  Church  at 
Pohick  is  too  small  to  admit  of  a  commodious  re- 

16 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ception  for  the  parishioners  who  resort  to  divine 
services  at  the  said  Church,  and  praying  that  they 
may  be  admitted  to  build  a  Gallery  at  the  West 
end  of  the  said  Church  for  the  reception  and  more 
easie  accommodation  of  themselves  and  their  fami- 
lies, and  that  the  same  may  be  erected  at  their 
own  proper  cost.  It  is  ordered  that  they  may 
have  Hberty  to  erect  the  same,  so  that  it  does  dis- 
commode the  lights  of  the  Church,  or  interfere 
with  any  other  conveniency  thereto  belonging." 
''Col.  John  Colvill  is  appointed  and  chosen  Church 
Warden  in  the  room  of  Thomas  Lewis." 

In  1 74 1  nothing  appears  on  the  record  but  the 
ordinary  routine  of  laying  levies,  and  making  an- 
nual appropriations  for  the  poor,  and  the  other 
current  expenses  of  the  Parish. 

Institution  of  Fairfax  County 

In  1742  Fairfax  County  was  taken  from  Prince 
William,  and  the  boundary  lines  of  Truro  Parish 
and  of  the  new  county  coincided.* 


*The  Act  forming  the  new  County,  "Consisting  of  the  Parish  of 
Truro,"  (including  what  are  now  Loudoun  and  Alexandria  Counties, 
as  well  as  Fairfax,)  took  effect  December  1st,  1742.  (Hening,  V, 
207.)  The  first  Court-House  was  established  on  "Freedom  Hill."  a 
mile  or  two  north  of  the  present  village  of  Vienna,  on  land  deeded 
to  the  County  by  William  Fairfax.  Probably  that  was  then  near 
the  center  of  population.  In  1754  the  Court-House  was  moved  to 
Alexandria,  and  on  July  1st,  1757.  Loudoun  County  was  cut  off  from 
Fairfax.  An  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed  December  4,  1789,  direct- 
ing two  acres  of  land  to  be  purchased  and  the  county  buildings  to 
be  erected  "Within  one  mile  of  the  cross  roads,  near  Price's  Or- 
dinary," that  being  near  the  center  of  the  County.  But  It  was  not 
until  1801  that  the  present  Court-House  was  completed,  on  land 
deeded  by  Richard  Ratcliffe,  and  the  Court  removed.  The  village 
which    slowly    grew    up    at    the    County    seat    received    the    name    of 

17 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Among  the  duties  of  the  Vestries  was  the 
appointment  every  four  years  of  reputable  Free- 
holders to  ''perambulate"  the  Parish, — going 
around  the  plantations  and  renewing  the  land- 
marks. This  was  called  "Processioning."*  To 
this  end  the  Parish  was  divided  into  precincts,  like 
our  modern  Townships.  These  are  reproduced 
because  they  throw  light  upon  the  geography  and 
population  of  the  precincts  at  the  time  of  the  sev- 
eral processionings,  and  also  because  the  Proces- 
sioners  named  owned  land  within  their  several 
precincts  at  that  date,  and  their  names  and  locali- 
ties are  thus  prescribed. 

At  a  Vestry  held  the  8th  of  August,  1743,  for 
appointing  Processioners,  etc.  "Pursuant  to  an 
order  of  Fairfax  County  Court  the  Vestry  pro- 
ceeded and  laid  off  the  said  Parish  into  precincts 
and  appointed  Processioners  in  manner  following: 

"Ordered,  that  Richard  Simpson  and  Thos. 
Ford  procession  all  the  pattented  lands  that  lye 


Providence,  while  the  County  seat  of  Culpeper  County  was  known 
as  Fairfax.  The  old  Virginia  habit  of  calling  the  County  seat 
"The  Court-House"  preAailed,  however,  and  both  villages  lost  their 
names,  until  finally,  aided  by  the  mandate  of  the  Post  OfHce  De- 
partment, "Culpeper  Court-House"  became  "Culpeper"  and  "Fair- 
fax  Court-House"    has   now   become   "Fairfax." 

*This  was  a  revival  in  Virginia,  in  about  the  year  1662,  of  an 
old  English  and  Scottish  custom  which  had  already  fallen  into  dis- 
use in  the  old  country.  Processionings  were  required  every  four 
years.  Originally  the  A'estries  had  only  to  mark  out  the  precincts, 
and  appoint  the  days,  between  Easter  and  "Whitsunday,  for  the 
processioning,  which  was  performed  by  the  parties  interested,  but 
after  1705  they  had  also  to  "appoint  at  least  two  intelligent  honest 
freeholders  of  each  precinct  to  see  such  processioning  performed, 
to  take  and  return  to  the  Vestry  an  account  of  every  persons  land 
they  shall  procession,  and  of  the  persons  present  at  the  same." 
These  accounts  were  to  be  carefully  recorded  and  preserved  by  the 
Vestry  in  books  specially  provided.  Three  processionings  fixed  the 
bounds   of   lands   beyond   dispute. 


i8 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

between  Occoquan  and  Pohick  on  the  upper  side 
of  the  Ox  road,  and  between  that  and  Occoquan 
as  far  up  as  Popes  head,  and  that  they  perform  the 
same  sometime  in  the  month  of  October  or  No- 
vember next,  and  report  their  proceedings  accord- 
ing to  Law."  In  hke  manner  it  was  ordered,  that 
Wilham  Champne3^s  and  Francis  Cofer  procession 
between  Occoquan  and  Pohick,  and  on  the  lower 
side  of  the  Ox  road,  as  far  up  as  the  head  branches 
of  Popes  head;  that  John  Manley  and  John  Brown 
procession  between  Pohick  and  Doegs  Creek, 
from  the  head  branches  of  Pohick  by  Col.  Fitz- 
hughs  Rolling  road,  to  the  head  of  Doegs  Run; 
that  Zephaniah  Wade  and  Sampson  Darrell  pro- 
cession between  Doegs  Run  and  Great  Hunting 
Creek;  that  Daniel  French  Senior  and  John  Glad- 
din  procession  between  Great  Hunting  Creek  and 
Pimmetts  Run;  that  James  Robertson  and  Guy 
Broadwater  procession  between  Pimmetts  Run 
and  Difficult  Run;  that  John  Trammell  and  John 
Harle  procession  between  Difficult  Run  and  Broad 
Run;  that  Anthony  Hampton  and  William  Moore 
procession  betw^een  Broad  Run  and  the  south  side 
of  Goose  Creek  as  far  as  the  fork  of  Little  River; 
that  Philip  Noland  and  John  Lasswell  procession 
between  Goose  Creek  and  Limestone  Run  as  far 
as  the  fork  of  Little  River;  that  Amos  Janney  and 
William  HalHng  procession  between  Limestone 
Run  and  the  south  branch  of  Kitoctan;  ''Between 
the  south  fork  of  Kitoctan  and  Williams  Gap,  no 

19 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

freeholder  in  this  precinct.  Between  Williams 
Gap,  Ashbys  Gap,  the  county  line,  and  Goose 
Creek,  to  the  Beaver  Dam,  and  back  to  the  Gap. 
No  freeholder  in  this  precinct.  Between  the 
Beaver  Dam  and  the  north  east  fork  of  Goose 
Creek.  No  freeholder  in  this  precinct.'' — that 
Lovel  Jackson  and  Jacob  Lasswell  procession  be- 
tween the  north  east  and  north  west  forks  of  Goose 
Creek;  that  John  Middleton  and  Edward  Hews 
procession  between  Little  River  and  Goose  Creek; 
that  William  West  and  William  Hall  Junior  pro- 
cession between  Little  River  and  Walnut  Cabbin 
branch;  that  George  Adams  and  Daniel  Diskin 
procession  between  Walnut  Cabbin  branch,  Broad 
run  and  Cub  run;  that  William  Berkley  and  Vin- 
cent Lewis  procession  between  Cub  run  and  Popes 
head.  ''Ordered,  that  the  Processioners,  accord- 
ing to  their  judgement,  shape  a  line  from  the  head 
of  one  branch  to  the  head  of  another;  and  that  if 
any  persons  land  crosses  any  of  the  natural  boun- 
darys  mentioned,  the  first  set  of  Processioners  are 
to  go  round  the  land." 

Vestry  Dissolved,  and  a  New  Vestry 
Elected 

In  1744  it  was  represented  to  the  General  As- 
sembly that  divers  members  of  the  Vestry  of  Truro 
Parish  were  not  able  to  read  or  write,  and  were 
not  otherwise  qualified.    The  Vestry  was  dissolved 

20 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  and  the  Sheriff  of  the 
County  was  ordered  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  free- 
holders and  housekeepers  to  choose  a  new  Vestry 
of  the  "most  able  and  discreet  persons  in  the  Par- 
ish." In  obedience  to  this  order  the  following 
persons  were  chosen  to  compose  the  new  Vestry, 
viz : 

Capt.  John  West  Capt.  Richard  Osborn 

Capt.  Lewis  Ellzey  Mr.  Daniel  French 

Mr.  John  Sturman  Mr.  Edward  Emms 

Capt.  John  Minor  Mr.  Robert  Boggess 

]\Tr.  Hugh  West  Colo.  John  Colvill 

Air.  Andrew  Hutchinson  ]\Ir.  Charles  Broadwater. 

These  persons,  having  taken  the  oaths  required 
by  law  to  be  taken,  subscribed  the  test,  and  to  be 
conformable  to  Doctrine  and  Discipline  of  the 
Church  of  England  Vv^ere  sworn  Vestrymen  of  the 
Parish  of  Truro.* 

Bishop  Aleade  expresses  surprise  at  this  dissolu- 
tion in  view  of  the  number  of  intelligent  men  in 
the  Parish,  and  supposes  that  it  must  have  taken 
place  elsewhere.  But  the  Rev.  Charles  Green 
made  a  note  in  the  Vestry  Book  which  explains 
the  proceeding.  He  says  that  "One  of  the  causes 
assisrned  for  the  dissolution  of  the  Vestrv  was  that 


*These  political  oaths  were  three  in  number,  and  the  third  was 
quite  long.  They  were  oaths  of  allegiance  and  of  abjuration  of 
Popery  and  of  the  Pretender,  etc.,  and  were  required  of  all  Civil 
and  Military  officers  by  the  laws  of  England  and  of  Virginia.  They 
may  be  seen  in  Bp.  Meade's  "Old  Churches,  Ministers  and  FamilieB 
of  Virginia,"  Vol.  II,  p.  41.  It  seems  to  have  required  as  many  as 
six  oaths  and  subscriptions  properly  to  qualify  a  Vestryman  in  those 
days. 

21 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

several  of  them  were  illiterate.  There  was  but  one 
of  them  illiterate,  namel)^  Edward  Emms,  who  was 
reelected."  The  truth  seems  to  be  that  the  Dele- 
gates to  the  Assembly  and  other  leading  men 
often  had  Vestries  dissolved  when  they  displeased 
them.* 

John  West  and  Lewis  Ellzey  were  sworn  as 
Church  Wardens,  and  William  Henry  Terrett  was 
elected  Clerk  of  the  Vestry. 

1745,  April  15th.  Messrs.  John  West,  Hugh 
West,  Hutchinson,  French,  Boggess  and  Broad- 
water were  appointed  to  'Saew  the  most  con- 
venient place  between  Salisbury  plain,  Little  river 
and  Potomac  river  for  a  Chappel  of  Ease  to  be 
built,  and  to  treat  with  the  workmen  about  the 
building  thereof,"  and  report  to  the  Vestry.f  Also 


•The  Act  of  Dissolving  the  Vestry  of  Truro  was  proposed  in  the 
House  of  Burgesses  by  Lawrence  Washington,  Esq.,  Oct.  15,  1744. 
It  will  be  found  in  Hening's  Statutes,  Vol.  V,  p.  274,  The  pre- 
amble states  that  "many  of  them  were  never  lawfully  chosen  or 
qualified;  that  several  are  not  able  to  read  or  write."  While  the 
charge  of  illiteracy  was  doubtless  overstated  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  some  of  the  Vestrymen  were  not  lawfully  chosen;  for  while 
the  law  was  very  explicit  in  limiting  the  number  of  Vestrymen  in 
a  parish  to  twelve,  there  were  at  least  sixteen  at  one  time  in  Truro, 
and  on  three  occasions  thirteen  were  recorded  as  being  present  at 
a   Vestry. 

By  an  Act  of  Assembly  In  1745  the  election  of  the  new  Vestry 
was  confirmed,  and  the  said  Vestry  was  established  as  the  legal 
Vestry  of  the   Parish.      Hening,   Vol.   V,   p.    380. 

fThis  Church  was  not  built  by  the  Truro  Vestry.  On  October 
7th  of  this  same  year  it  was  "Ordered,  that  the  Church  to  be  built  be 
built  at  Rocky  run  instead  of  the  place  already  appointed,  it  appear- 
ing there  is  no  water  there,  and  that  the  Clerk  prepare  deeds  for  Capt. 
Newton  to  sign  and  execute  for  land  for  the  use  of  the  Church." 
After  this  we  hear  nothing  more  of  it  in  the  Vestry  Book,  and  no 
tobaccoo  was  levied  in  this  Parish  for  its  erection.  The  site  se- 
lected fell  in  Cameron  Parish  upon  the  division  in  1749,  and  that 
the  Church  was  built  immediately  thereafter  we  discover  from  a 
fragment  of  the  records  of  the  County  Court  of  Fairfax  for  that 
period  which  escaped  destruction.  On  July  21,  1752,  the  Court 
ordered  "That  Lewis  Ellzey,  Hugh  West  jr.  James  Hamilton,  Dem- 
sle  Cairde  and  James  Halley,  or  any  three  of  them,  riew  and  mark 
*.    way    for    a    road    to    be    cleared    the  most  convenient    way    from 

22 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ordered  that  Messrs.  John  West,  Ellzey  and 
French  view  what  necessary  repairs  are  wanting 
at  Goose  Creek  Chapel  and  agree  with  workmen 
therefor;  that  a  gallery  be  built  in  the  west  end  of 
the  upper  Church  and  the  Church  Wardens  agree 
with  workmen  for  the  same;  and  that  the  Minister 
make  choice  of  proper  persons  to  officiate  as  Read- 
ers at  each  Church.  May  21st  it  was  ordered 
"That  a  Church  be  built  at  or  near  the  spring  nigh 
Mr.  Hutchinsons  and  the  Mountain  road,"  40  feet 
long,  22  feet  wide  and  13  feet  pitch,  weather- 
boarded,  shingled,  and  "ceiled  with  quartered 
plank  beaded  and  plained, — with  pulpit,  desk. 
Communion  Table,  pews,  doors,  windows  and 
seats  after  the  manner  of  the  upper  Church."  The 
Clerk  was  instructed  to  prepare  deeds  for  Mr. 
Hutchinson's  conveyance  of  two  acres  of  land  for 
the  Church  and  churchyard,  and  articles  of  agree- 
ment and  bond  for  Hugh  Thomas,  who  undertakes 
to  build  the  Church  for  24,500  pounds  of  tobacco, 
to  be  finished  by  the  end  of  October  1746.  On 
October  14th,  1746,  John  Summers,  William 
Harle  and  Thomas  Darus  were  appointed  "to  view 
the  new  Church,  and  to  report  on  oath  the  state 


Alexandria  to  Rocky  Run  Chappell,  and  report  to  the  Court."  On 
November  21st  the  same  parties  were  sworn  and  ordered  to  open 
the  road.  Doubtless  this  is  what  is  now  locally  known  as  the  old 
Braddocks  Road;  and  if  a  part  of  Gen.  Braddock's  force  did  pass 
over  it  in  the  spring-  of  1755  they  may  have  found  it  in  such  an 
unfinished  condition  as  to  compel  them  to  do  further  work  on  it, 
so  giving  rise  to  the  tradition  that  it  was  opened  by  Braddock. 
The  site  of  the  Chapel  would  seem  to  have  been  at  or  near  the 
point  where  this  road  crosses  Little  Rocky  Run,  about  half  a  mile 
east    of   Centerville. 


23 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

and  condition  of  the  work,  whether  there  is  an  de- 
ficiency or  not."  Also  it  was  ''Ordered,  that  the 
Minister  preach  eight  times  in  the  year  at  the  New 
Church,  and  that  he  do  proportion  the  times 
equally  from  each  Church."* 

The  following  items  from  the  accounts  current 
show  the  payments  to  the  officers  of  the  Churches, 
etc. : 
Rev.  Charles  Green,  Salary 

and  cask 16,640  lbs.  of  tobacco 

Clerks    at    Pohick,    Upper 

Church,     New     Church, 

and  Goose  Creek,  each..     1200         ''  '* 

Clerk  of  the  Vestry 500         **  " 

Mary     Bennit,     Sexton    at 

the  Upper  Church 400         "  '' 

Do.  for  washing  the  sur- 
plice          T25         '*  " 

Philip    Howel,     Sexton    at 

Pohick,      and      washing 

surplice  twice   550         "  " 

Hugh    West,    for    account 

book    no 

Do.     for    bringing    said 

book  from  Williamsburg        50         ''  " 


*This  Church  wa.s  probably  located  near  the  present  villagre  of 
DranesvIUe.  The  deed  from  Hutchinson  to  the  Vestrv  Is  on  record 
in  the  Clerk's  OfTice  of  Fairfax,  dated  August  19th,  1745.  He  con- 
veys two  acres,  near  the  Mountain  road,  to  be  laid  off  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Parish,  so  as  to  include  the  Church  intended  and 
aereed  to  be  built  thereon,  Avith  a  spring,  etc.  On  the  division 
of  the  Parish   this  Church   fell   in   Cameron. 

24 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Dr.  Robinson,  physick  and 

attendance  on  poor 1200         ''  " 

Dr.  Daniel  Hart,  per  ac- 
count, for  poor 3880         "  " 

Various  items,  relief  of  the 

poor,  one  year 4630         "  " 


A  Mandamus 

In  the  proceedings  of  the  Vestry  for  June,  1747, 
it  is  said  that  a  Mandamus  was  presented  to  the 
Vestry  in  behalf  of  William  Grove;  who  being  ex- 
amined denied  that  he  knew  anything  of  its  being 
prosecuted,  and  also  quit  all  claim  to  the  Clerk's 
place.  This  is  the  first  instance  of  a  Mandamus 
being  served  on  a  Vestry  that  I  have  met  with.  It 
is  explained  by  a  note  on  the  margin  by  the  Minis- 
ter, thus:  "William  Grove  was  recommended  to 
me  by  Capt.  Newton  as  a  person  capable  to  be 
Clerk  Etc.  but  on  trial  was  found  not  capable. 
Also  he  came  into  the  County  convicted,  though 
probably  he  might  have  behaved  well  afterward. 
For  these  reasons  I  appointed  Wm.  Champneys 
Clerk,  which  occasioned  the  Mandamus." 

W^illiam  Grove  was  made  Sexton  at  the  new 
Church. 

In  1748,  in  addition  to  the  usual  items,  pay- 
ments were  made  to  John  Graham,  Valentine 
Wade,  Mary  Willis,  Baldwin  Dade,  John  Carlyle, 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

and  William  ]\Ioore  for  levies  overcharged,  and 
to  Dr.  John  Hunter  for  services  to  the  poor. 


First  Division  of  Truro  Parish 

By  an  act  of  the  x\ssembly  of  October,  1748,  it 
was  enacted  that  from  and  after  the  eleventh  day 
of  June  then  next  Truro  Parish  should  be  divided, 
"by  Difficult  Run  and  its  meanders  from  the  mouth 
to  the  head  thereof,  thence  by  a  line  to  the  head 
of  Popes  head  run,  and  down  the  said  run  to  the 
mouth  thereof."  All  on  the  lower  side  of  said  runs 
and  line  to  retain  the  name  of  Truro,  and  all  on  the 
upper  side  to  be  "one  other  distinct  Parish  and 
called  by  the  name  of  Cameron.'''-' 

Truro  was  now  limited  to  the  foregoing  metes 
and  bounds;  and  Cameron  Parish  had  jurisdiction 
above  the  said  line,  with  its  own  Minister  and  Ves- 
try. The  division  transferred  707  tithables  to 
Cameron,  leaving  1240  in  Truro.     Several  of  the 


*See  Hening's  Statutes,  Vol.  VI.  pp.  214  and  271.  In  1757  Fair- 
fax County  was  dlrided  and  I^oudoun  County  formed,  the  line 
being  as  follows:  ''Difficult  run,  which  falls  into  Patowmack  river, 
and  a  line  to  be  run  from  the  head  of  the  said  run,  a  straight 
course,  to  the  mouth  of  Rocky  run;"  (Now  known  as  Little  Rocky 
Run,  emptying  into  the  Bull  Run.)  This  left  a  small  part  of 
Cameron  Parish,  lying  between  Popes  Head  and  the  above  line, 
still  in  Fairfax.  By  another  Act,  however,  in  effect  January  1st, 
17C3,  this  was  taken  from  Cameron  and  added  to  Truro,  so  that 
the  parish  and  County  lines  should  coincide.  (See  Hening,  Vol. 
VII,  pp.  14S  and  612.)  In  1798  the  present  line  between  Fairfax 
and  Loudoun  was  established,  being  about  eight  miles  west  of  the 
old  line;  but  of  course  at  that  date  no  change  was  made  in  the 
Parish  lines  by  the  Legislature,  and  Cameron  again  lay  partly  in 
Fairfax.  This  fact  was  forgotten,  however,  and  when  in  1884  a 
new  Parish  was  formed,  almost  entirely  within  the  territory  of 
Cameron,  it  received  the  name  of  Upper  Truro  Parish. 


26 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

old  Vestrymen  also  lived  in  Cameron.     The  new 
Vestry  of  Truro  consisted  of, — 
Hugh  West,  Abraham  Barnes, 

George  Mason,  Thomas  Wren, 

James  Hamilton,  Robert  Boggess 

Charles  Broadwater,  John  Turley, 

Daniel  Mc.Carty,  William  Peake, 

William  Payne,  Jeremiah  Bronaugh. 

This  is  the  first  appearance  of  the  great  Author 
of  the  Bill  of  Rights  in  the  Vestry  Book.  Mr. 
Bronaugh  died  within  a  few  months,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded as  Church  Warden  by  Mr.  Mason  and  as 
Vestryman  by  John  West.* 

February  19,  1749-50,  the  Vestry  agree  with 
Charles  Broadwater  Gent,  to  make  an  addition  to 
the  Upper  Church,  according  to  plans  produced, 
for  12,000  pounds  of  tobacco.  It  was  also  ordered 
that  the  sills  and  sleepers  of  Pohick  Church  be 
repaired,  the  north  side  of  the  Church  newly 
shingled  with  poplar  or  chestnut  shingles,  that 
windows  be  made  in  the  ''Justices  Pew"  and  in  the 
''Womens  Pew,"  that  the  Church  be  raised  and 
new  blocked,  and  that  a  Vestry  House  be  built, 
sixteen  feet  square,  framed  and  clapboarded,  to 
have  ''an  inside  wooden  chimney  and  to  be  lofted 
with  clapboards."  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty  under- 
takes this  work  for  5,500  pounds  of  tobacco,  he 


♦This  was  the  third  Vestry  of  Truro.  We  miss  henceforward 
several  familiar  names,  among-  them  our  old  friends,  Edward  Emms, 
Richard  Osborn  and  Andrew  Hutchinson.  It  is  very  likely  that  two 
at   least  of  these  would  be  found  on  the  first  Vestry  of  Cameron. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

having  also  the  material  in  the  old  Vestry  House 
to  make  what  use  of  he  can  in  building  the  new. 
Afterward  this  work  was  ordered  to  be  deferred, 
and  two  years  later  the  contract,  with  the  addition 
of  a  window  by  the  pulpit  and  making  good  the 
pews  and  floor,  was  given  to  Mr.  Daniel  French 
for  sixty-three  pounds  current  money. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1751,  it  was  ordered,  'That 
the  Clerk  of  the  Vestry  present  unto  the  next 
Court  of  Claims  and  Propositions  a  petition  in  the 
name  of  the  Minister,  Churchwardens  and  Vestry 
of  this  Parish  to  Honour'l.  House  of  Burgesses 
setting  forth  the  insufficiency  and  inconveniency 
of  the  Glebe  land  of  said  Parish  in  order  that  an 
Act  of  Assembly  be  obtained  for  the  Vestry  to 
sell  the  same  and  buy  land  more  convenient  for 
the  same  uses,  and  also  to  pay  the  upper  Parish  of 
this  County  their  proportion  of  what  the  said  land 
may  sell  for."*  In  1752  an  Act  of  Assembly 
granted  the  petition. 

The  time  for  processioning  the  lands  having 
come  again,  and  the  division  of  the  Parish  having 
changed  its  geography,  etc.  It  was  ordered  that 
James  Donaldson  and  John  Jenkins  procession 
between  Difficult  and  Pimmetts  run,  Guy  Broad- 
water and  James   Robertson   between   Pimmetts 

•From  the  County  Court  records,  February  8th,  1752.  "A  peti- 
tion for  selling  the  Glebe  lands  in  the  Parish  of  Truro  and  pur- 
chasing other  land  more  convenient  presented  and  ordered  certified 
to    the   Assembly." 

For  the  Act  see  Hening,  VI,  270.  It  is  from  this  Act  that  we 
discover  the  lines  between  Truro  and  Cameron,  the  Act  providing 
for   the   division   being  lost   except  its  title. 

28 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

run  and  Four  Mile  run,  Edward  Masterson  and 
William  Gleading  between  Four  Mile  run  and 
Hunting  Creek,  Sampson  Darrell  and  John  Posey 
between  Hunting  Creek  and  Dogue  run,  Edward 
Violet  and  William  Ashford  between  Dogue  run 
and  Accotink,  Abraham  Barnes  and  Robert  Bog- 
gess  between  Accotink  and  Pohick,  William  Rear- 
don  and  John  Hereford  between  Pohick  and  Oc- 
coquan  to  Sandy  run,  Thomas  Ford  and  Richard 
Simpson  from  Sandy  run  to  Popes  Head  and  the 
branches  of  Difficult. 

1752.  The  Glebe  was  sold  at  auction  and 
bought  by  Mr.  William  Ramsay  for  fifty  pounds 
current  money;  and  176  acres  of  land  adjoining 
the  old  Glebe  was  bought  of  Rev.  Charles  Green 
for  13,500  pounds  of  tobacco.  Proposals  were  in- 
vited for  buildings  on  the  Glebe  according  to  law. 
the  dwelling  house  to  be  of  brick,  to  contain  in 
the  clear  about  1200  feet,  of  one  story  and  a  cellar 
and  convenient  rooms  and  closets;  to  be  advertised 
in  the  Gazette  and  at  the  several  Churches  and 
the  Courthouse.  In  October  Mr.  Thomas  Waite 
contracted  for  the  dwelling  house  and  other  houses 
on  the  Glebe  for  425  pounds  current  money,  and 
Rev.  Charles  Green  undertook  to  do  the  rest  of 
the  building  necessary,  apparently  without  com- 
pensation. 

The  Clerk  of  the  Upper  Church  was  directed  to 
''read  prayers  every  intervening  Simday,"  and  was 
allowed  1200  pounds  of  tobacco  for  his  salary. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 
Alexandria 

1753,  June  4th.  ''On  the  petition  of  Capt,  John 
West  ordered  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Charles  Green  do 
preach  every  third  Sunday  at  the  Town  of  Alex- 
andria." This  is  the  first  time  Alexandria  is  men- 
tioned in  this  record,  and  this  is  probably  the  date 
of  the  first  Chlrch  services  there.  Hitherto  it  has 
not  been  supposed  that  there  had  been  Church  ser- 
vice at  x\lexandria  before  1762.  It  is  not  generally 
known  that  the  site  of  Alexandria  was  included  in 
a  grant  of  land,  (6,000  acres,)  extending  from 
Hunting  Creek  to  the  Little  Falls,  from  Sir  Wil- 
liam Berkeley  to  Robert  Howson.  In  October, 
1669,  Howson,  ^o^  six  hogsheads  of  tobacco,  con- 
veyed these  lands  to  John  Alexander,  who,  with 
his  brothers  Robert  and  Gerard,  had  emigrated 
from  Scotland.  (See  Dinwiddie  Papers,  Vol.  I,  p. 
89.)  There  had  been  for  some  years  warehouses 
at  Pohick,  Hunting  Creek,  and  at  Thomas  Lee's 
land  at  the  Falls,  when,  in  1748,  a  town  named 
Alexandria  was  established  by  Act  of  Assembly 
at  Hunting  Creek  Warehouse,  sometimes  called 
Belle-Haven. 

In  1754  there  is  mention  of  the  payment  of  100 
pounds  of  tobacco  to  Capt.  John  West  for  "part 
of  building  the  desk  at  Alexandria."  And  in  1756 
the  Churchwardens  are  ordered  ''to  have  seats 
made  for  the  Church  at  Alexandria."* 


•strange   to   say   these   are  the   only  mentions  made   in   this   Ves- 
try  Book   of   any   levy   or   appropriation    for   building,    furnishing   or 

30 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 
Colchester 

As  Colchester  was  a  conspicuous  feature  of 
Truro  Parish  it  may  be  Avell  to  record  here  that  it 
was  estabHshed  as  a  Town  by  Act  of  Assembly  in 
1753-4  on  25  acres  of  land  belonging  to  Peter 
Wagener,  as  being  ''very  convenient  for  trade,  and 
greatly  to  the  ease  of  frontier  inhabitants."  The 
Trustees  and  Directors  were  Peter  Wagener, 
Daniel  McCarty,  John  Barry,  William  Ellzey,  and 
Edward  Washington,  all  Vestrymen  of  Truro  Par- 
ish. 

1754.  Messrs.  George  Mason,  Daniel  McCarty, 
and  Hugh  West,  who  had  been  appointed  to  view 
the  buildings  on  the  Glebe  as  they  progressed, 
made  a  report,  showing  the  manHness  of  the  times, 
which  some  modern  Vestries  would  do  well  to 
imitate.  They  say  the  bricks  are  not  fit  to  be 
used,  and  that  the  following  notice  should  be  given 
to  Mr.  Waite,  the  undertaker,  and  his  securities: — 
"Mr.  Waite :  The  Vestry  are  of  opinion  that  none 
of  the  bricks  of  the  two  first  kilns  are  fit  to  be 
put  into  the  walls  of  the  Glebe  House,  but  that 
what  is  done  be  pulled  down  and  done  with  good 
bricks  and  that  the  cellar  windows  be  done  with 
good  ring  oak  or  locust;  and  that  in  case  you  begin 
anew  that  they  will  allow  you  six  months  further 


repairing  a  Church  in  Alexandria;  though  hereafter  the  Clerk  and 
the  Sexton  at  Alexandria  are  regularly  paid  as  at  the  other 
Churches.  It  is  probable  therefore  that  Capt.  "West  and  othera 
themselves  provided  a  hall  or  Chapel  for  services,  even  paying  In 
part    for    building    the    desk. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

than  the  time  mentioned  in  your  bond  to  compleat 
it." 

"Ordered,  that  the  King's  Attorney  do  prose- 
cute for  this  Parish/' 

The  Hon.  WilHam  Fairfax  was  appointed  Ves- 
tryman in  the  room  of  Hugh  West,  deceased.  The 
Churchwardens  were  directed  to  give  notice  for 
the  impotent  people  of  the  Parish  to  appear  before 
the  Vestry  the  following  May,  and  also  any  person 
who  will  undertake  to  board  them. 

September,  1755.  The  time  for  processioning 
land  recurs,  and  some  of  the  details  are  given  be- 
cause they  throw  light  on  the  history  of  the  Par- 
ish. David  Piper,  John  Hereford,  and  Marielles 
Littlejohn  are  to  procession  the  several  tracts  of 
land  that  have  their  beginnings  between  Occo- 
quan,  Potomac  river,  Accotink  run  and  the  road 
that  leads  from  Hunting  Creek  through  the  Glebe 
land  to  Occoquan.  John  Peak,  Daniel  French, 
John  Posey,  and  Abednego  Adams,  between  Ac- 
cotink, Potomac  river.  Hunting  Creek  and  the 
road  that  leads  from  Hunting  Creek  through  the 
Glebe  land.  John  Dalton,  Thomas  Harrison,  John 
Hunter,  and  Nathaniel  Smith,  between  Hunting 
Creek,  Potomac  river,  and  the  road  that  leads  from 
Awbreys  ferry  to  the  upper  Church  and  the  road 
that  leads  from  Cameron  to  the  said  Church.  Guy 
Broadwater,  James  Robertson  and  James  Donald- 
son, between  the  road  that  leads  from  Awbreys 
ferry  to  the  upper  Church  and  the  road  from  up- 

32 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

per  Church  to  Difficult  run,  and  then  clown  the 
run  to  Potomac  river,  and  then  down  the  river  to 
Awbreys  ferry.  Lewis  Ellzey,  James  Hawley, 
William  Adams,  and  John  Ratcliff,  between  the 
road  that  leads  from  Cameron  to  Difficult  run, 
and  up  the  run  and  Parish  line  till  the  line  comes 
to  the  road  that  leads  from  Cameron  by  Capt. 
Lewis  Ellzeys,  and  so  down  the  said  road  to  Cam- 
eron. Thomas  Shaw,  Presley  Cox,  James  Jugo 
Dozier,  Joseph  Stephens,  Sampson  Demevill,  and 
John  Hampton  between  the  road  that  leads  from 
Cameron  by  Capt.  Lewis  Ellzeys  to  the  Parish 
line,  and  so  down  the  Parish  line  to  Occoquan 
ferry,  and  then  up  the  road  by  the  Glebe  to  Hunt- 
ing Creek. 

Mrs.  Sybil  West  is  paid  1800  pounds  of  tobacco 
for  elements  for  the  Churches.  Wm.  Payne  and 
Henry  Gunnell  chosen  Vestrymen  in  1756. 

1757.  Geo.  Wm.  Fairfax  chosen  Vestryman  in 
the  room  of  his  father,  Hon.  W^illiam  Fairfax,  de- 
ceased.'^ Several  parties  were  paid  for  attendance 
as  witnesses  in  Churchwardens  suit  against  Cole. 

175^-  John  West  jun.  becomes  Clerk  of  the 
Vestry.     George  Mason,  John  West  and  Daniel 


♦William  Fairfax  was  a  cousin  of  Thomas,  Lord  Fairfax,  Pro- 
prietor of  the  Northern  Neck,  and  his  agent  in  Virginia  until  he 
himself  came  over.  He  was  a  Burgess  from  Prince  William  Co, 
from  1742  until  1744,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  Governor's 
Council.  George  William  Fairfax  was  a  Burgess  from  Frederick 
Co,  from  1752  to  1755,  and  from  Fairfax,  1756-58.  He  also  became 
a  member  of  the  Council  in  1768.  He  was  a  half  brother  of  the 
Rev.  Bryan,  Lord  Fairfax,  afterward  Rector  of  Christ  Church, 
Alexandria. 

33 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

McCarty  to  examine  the  Parish  papers  and  report 
to  the  next  Vestry. 

1759.  Mr.  Waite,  ''tho'  often  admonished," 
having  failed  in  doing  his  work  at  the  Glebe  build- 
ings according  to  agreement,  the  Vestry  take  steps 
to  annul  his  contract.  William  Bucklands  finally 
completes  the  work  and  is  paid  the  balance  due 
Waite.  Processioners  were  again  appointed,  be- 
ing generally  those  who  had  served  before. 

1760  and  1 76 1.  We  have  only  the  usual  routine 
Parish  items  and  appropriations  for  salaries,  main- 
tenance of  the  poor,  Ph3'sicians  and  Lawyers 
fees,  etc.  Mrs.  Sybil  West's  account  for  elements 
for  the  Holy  Communion  is  about  iioo  pounds  of 
tobacco  annually. 

George  Washington,  Vestryman 

1762.  October  25th.  ''Ordered,  that  George 
Washington  Esqr.  be  chosen  and  appointed  one  of 
the  Vestrymen  of  this  Parish  in  the  room  of  Wil- 
liam Peake  Gent,  deceased."* 

The  Falls  Church 

"At  a  Vestry  held  at  the  Falls  Church  March 
28th,  1763.  Present,  Henry  Gunnell,  William 
Payne  jun.  Church  Wardens,  John  West,  William 
Payne    (sen.)    Chas.    Broadwater,    Thos.    Wren, 


♦From  the  Records  of  the  County  Court  of  Fairfax,  February 
15th,  1763:  "George  Washington  Esqr.  took  the  oaths  according  to 
Law  repeated  and  subscribed  the  Test  and  subscribed  to  the  Doc- 
trine and  Discipline  of  the  Church  of  England  in  order  to  qualify 
him  to  act  as  a  Vestryman  of  Truro  Parish." 

34 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Abra.  Barnes,  Danl.  Mc.Carty,  Robt.  Boggess,  and 
Geo.  Washington,  Vestrymen,  Who  being  there 
met  to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  said  Church, 
greatly  in  decay  and  want  of  repairs,  and  Hkewise 
whether  the  same  should  be  repaired  or  a  new  one 
built,  and  whether  at  the  same  place  or  removed  to 
a  more  convenient  one; — Resolved  it  is  the 
opinion  of  this  Vestry  that  the  old  Church  is 
rotten  and  unfit  for  repair,  but  that  a  new  Church 
be  built  at  the  same  place.  Ordered  that  the 
Clerk  of  the  Vestry  advertise  in  the  Virginia  and 
Maryland  Gazettes  for  workmen  to  meet  at  the 
said  Church  on  the  29th  day  of  August  next,  if 
fair,  if  not  the  first  fair  day,  to  undertake  the  build- 
ing a  Brick  Church  to  contain  1600  feet  on  the 
floor,  with  a  suitable  gallery,  and  bring  a  plan  for 
the  Church  and  price  according  to  the  same." 

There  is  no  record  of  a  meeting  in  August. 
Probably  no  contractors  appeared. 

October  3rd.  1763.  "Ordered,  that  George 
William  Fairfax  and  George  Washington  Esqrs. 
be  appointed  Church  Wardens  for  the  ensuing 
year." 

"Ordered,  that  the  Vestry  meet  at  Alexandria 
on  the  third  Tuesday  in  March  next  in  order  to 
agree  with  workmen  to  undertake  the  building  a 
Church  at  or  near  the  old  Falls  Church,  and  that 
the  Church  Wardens  advertise  the  same  in  the  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland  Gazettes  to  be  continued  six 
weeks;  and  that  it  will  be  then  expected  of  each 

35 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

workmen  to  produce  a  plan  and  estimate  of  the 
expense."  The  Parish  Levy  called  for  30,000 
pounds  of  tobacco"  towards  building  the  Falls 
Church,  to  be  sold  for  cash  by  the  Church  War- 
dens for  the  highest  price  they  can  get."  Again 
there  is  no  record  of  the  meeting  appointed  for 
March  (1764)  being  held.*  But  in  the  annual  Levy 
laid  in  October  of  that  year  an  additional  20,000 
pounds  of  tobacco  is  levied  "for  building  Churches 
in  the  Parish,"  and  ordered  to  be  sold  as  before. 
John  Barry  becomes  Clerk  of  the  Vestry. 

Second  Division  of  Truro,  and  Formation  of 
Fairfax  Parish 

[Note  by  the  Editor. — The  facts  in  regard 
to  the  division  of  Truro,  and  the  formation 
of  Fairfax  Parish,  are  not  recorded  in  the  Vestry 


•Perhaps  the  Church  Wardens  overlooked  their  charge  to  adver- 
tise for  contractors  until  after  this  Vestry  was  to  have  met.  But 
on  May  17th,  1764,  their  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Maryland 
Gazette,  a  copy  of  which  is  preserved  in  the  Library  of  Congress, 
and    ran    for    six   weeks,    as    follows: 

"Virginia,   Fairfax   county,    March   20,    1764. 

Notice  is  hereby  given  to  any  Person  or  Persons,  who  are  will- 
ing to  undertake  the  Building  a  Brick  Church  at  the  Falls  in  Truro 
Parish  in  the  County  aforesaid,  (to  contain  1600  feet  superficial 
Measure,  with  convenient  Galleries,)  That  on  the  Third  Monday  in 
June  next,  there  will  be  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  at  what  is  com- 
monly called  the  Upper  Church;  At  which  Time  and  Place,  any 
Person  or  Persons,  who  will  undertake  the  same,  are  desired  to 
attend,  with  their  Plans,  and  Estimate  of  the  Expence,  and  to 
give  Bond,  with  good  Security,  to  the  Church  wardens  of  the  said 
Parish,   for  his  or  their  true  performance. 

George    W.    Fairfax  i     ^,         ,  j,         „ 

George  Washington  >     Church    wardens. 

There  is  no  record  of  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  on  the  third  Mon- 
day in  June,  as  specified  above,  and  it  is  probable  that  this  effort 
to  secnre  a  builder  to  undertake  the  Church  was  not  successful. 
The  present  Falls  Church  was  built  a  few  years  later  by  James 
Wren. 


36 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Book,  and  were  but  imperfectly  known  to  Dr. 
Slaughter.  He  was  not  acquainted  with  the  final 
Act  of  Assembly  dividing  the  Parishes,  nor  had 
he  ever  seen  the  original  and  complete  paper  by 
Gen.  Washington  giving  the  result  of  the  various 
elections  of  Vestrymen  held  at  this  time,  which 
explains,  and  explains  away,  the  seeming  fact  that 
Washington  was  chosen,  contrary  to  all  precedent, 
if  not  law,  to  serve  simultaneously  on  the  Vestries 
of  two  distinct  Parishes.  For  these  reasons  Dr. 
Slaughter's  History  is,  of  necessity,  at  this  point, 
radically  imperfect;  and  the  Editor  feels  that  he 
will  but  carry  out  what  would  be  the  Author's 
wish,  if  it  could  be  expressed,  in  departing  from 
the  manuscript  for  a  few  pages,  and  rewriting  this 
portion  of  the  Parish  annals.] 

As  early  as  1761  a  petition  was  presented  to  the 
County  Court,  and  ordered  certified  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  praying  for  a  division  of  Truro 
Parish.  The  population  of  the  County  was  in- 
creasing rapidly,  there  was  an  evident  demand  for 
more  Churches  and  more  services,  while  the  health 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Green  was  failing.  A  division  was 
the  natural  remedy.  No  action  seems  to  have 
been  taken  further  however  until  the  year,  1764. 
In  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  we  read 
that  on  November  ist  of  that  year  ''A  petition 
from  sundry  inhabitants  of,  the  Parish  of  Truro,  in 
the  County  of  Fairfax  praying  that  the  said  Parish 
be  divided   into  two  distinct  Parishes,   was  pre- 

37 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

sented  to  the  House  and  read."  It  was  referred 
to  Messrs.  George  Johnston  and  John  West,  the 
two  Burgesses  from  Fairfax,  to  prepare  and  bring 
in  a  Bill  agreeable  to  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners. 
November  3rd.  Mr.  Johnston  presented  the  Bill 
for  dividing  the  Parish  of  Truro,  and  it  was  passed 
on  the  6th  and  agreed  to  by  the  Council  on  the 
26th.  The  Act  provided  that  the  division  should 
take  place  from  February  ist,  1765,  the  line  being 
— "by  Doeg  creek  from  the  mouth  thereof  to  Mr. 
George  Washington's  mill,  and  from  thence,  by 
a  straight  line,  to  the  plantation. of  John  Munroe, 
and  the  same  course  continued  to  the  line  that  di- 
vides the  counties  of  Fairfax  and  Loudoun."  All 
between  this  line  and  the  Potomac  .was  to  be  the 
new  Parish  of  Fairfax.  Each  Parish  was  to  elect 
its  Vestry,  at  a  time  and  place  appointed  by  the 
Sheriff,  before  the  second  of, the  following  April. 
(See  Hening.  VIII.  43.)  The  elections  were  held 
in  Truro  on  March  25th  and  in  Fairfax  on  March 
28th. 

This  division  was  exceedingly  favorable  to  the 
new  Parish,  but  naturally  it  met  with  small  favor 
in  Truro.  Not  only  was  she  shorn, of  much  more 
than  half  her  strength,  but  the  congregation  of 
Pohick,  her  one  remaining  Church,  was  divided, 
and  Mount  Vernon,  with  several  other  plantations 
which  naturally  belonged  to  this  Church  both 
from  proximity  and  association,  was  now  in  Fair- 
fax Parish.    Accordingl}^  when  the  House  of  Bur- 

38 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

gesses,  after  a  recess  of  several  months,  met  again 
in  May,  we  find,  under  date  of  May  14,  1765,  that 
"A  petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Truro,  praying  a  more, equal  division  of  the  said 
Parish,  also  several  petitions  in  opposition  thereto, 
were  presented  to  the  House  and  read."  These 
were  referred  to  the  Committe  of  Propositions  and 
Grivances,  *'to  examine  into  ^  the  allegations  there- 
of, and  report  the  same  with  their  opinion  to  the 
House."  Of  this  Committee  Mr.  Johnston  was  a 
member,  as  was  also  George  Washington,  who  at 
that  time  represented  the  County  of  Frederick, 
where  he  was  also  a  large  freeholder.  On  the 
15th  the  Committee  reported  two  resolutions. 
First,  that  the  petition  from  Truro,  complaining 
of  the  inequality  in  the  late  division,  and  praying 
that  a  new  division  be  made,  by  a  line  to  begin  at 
Clifton's  or  Johnson's  ferry  on  the  Potomac  and  to 
run  from  thence  to  the  ford  over  Dogue  run,  and 
on  by  the  line  that  was  afterward  adopted,  was 
''reasonable."  Second,  that  so  much  of  the  peti- 
tion from  Fairfax  Parish  in  opposition  thereto  as 
prays  that  if  the  Parishes,  be  divided  it  be  by  other 
lines  as  therein  set  forth  was  "also  reasonable." 
The  first  proposition  was  rejected,  and  the  Com- 
mittee ordered  to  bring  in  a  Bill  in  accordance 
wdth  the  second  resolution.  The  new^  Act  was 
presented  the  same  da}'  and  recommitted,  reported 
with  amendments  on  the  22d,  passed  the  23d, 
agreed  to  by  the  Council,  and  was  signed  by  the 

39 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Governor  on  June  ist,  so  becoming  a  law  on  that 
date. 

The  preamble  of  this  Act  states  that  ''Whereas  it 
is  represented  to  this  present  General  Assembly 
that  the  lines  and  boundaries  whereby  the  Parish 
of  Truro,  in  the  County  of  Fairfax,  was  divided 
into  two  distinct  Parishes,  pursuant  to  an  Act 
passed  for  that  purpose  in  the  former  part  of  this 
present  session  ,of  Assembly,  have  made  a  very 
unequal  division  of  the  said  Parish,  by  leaving 
nearly  double  the  number  of  tithables  in  the  new 
Parish  of  Fairfax  than  there  are  in  Truro  Parish, 
(sic)  Be  it  therefore  enacted  &c.  That  the  said  Act 
be,  and  is  hereby  repealed,  and  declared  null  and 
void.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  from  and 
after  the  ninth  day  of  June  next  the  said  Parish 
of  Truro  shall  be  divided  into  two  distinct  Par- 
ishes, in  the  following  manner,  that  is  to  say;  From 
the  mouth  of  Little  Hunting  creek,  up  the  same 
to  the  forks  thereof;  thence  up  the  meanders  of 
the  south  branch  thereof,  to  the  Gum  Spring 
thereon;  from  thence  by  a  straight  line  to  the  ford 
of  Dogue  run,  where  the  back  road  from  Colches- 
ter to  Alexandria  crosses  the  said  run;  and  from 
thence  by  a  straight  line  to  the  forks  of  Difficult." 
All  above  said  lines  to  be  Fairfax  Parish,  and  all 
below  to  retain  the  name  of  Truro.  New  Vestries 
were  to  be  elected  in  each  Parish  before  the  first 
of  August  following.  Henry  Lee,  John  Baylis, 
Foushee  Tebbs,  Allan  Macrae,  and  William  Car, 

40 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

gentlemen,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  ad- 
just and  divide  the  cost  of  the  Glebe  and  improve- 
ments thereon,  and  of  the  Church  plate,  and  the 
50,000  pounds  of  tobacco  levied  for  building 
Churches  and  not  yet  expended,  between  the  two 
Parishes  according  to  the  number  of  tithables  in 
each  at  the  time  of  the  first  division.  (See  Hening 
VIII.  157.)  A  plot  and  description  of  the  above 
line,  made  by  the  County  Surveyor,  June  15,  1765, 
is  on  record  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  Fairfax  County. 

It  is  evident  that  Washington  himself,  and  his 
immense  estate  at  Mount  Vernon,  was  the  princi- 
pal bone  of  contention  between  the  mother  and 
daughter  Parishes.  The  lines  proposed  ran, 
the  one  on  the  south,  the  other  on  the  north,  of 
the  estate.  The  one  finally  adopted  divided  it, 
leaving  far  the  larger  part,  however,  with  the  man- 
sion house,  in  Truro.  That  he  would  take  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  the  settlement  of  the  question  was 
inevitable,  and  doubtless  his  direct  agency  is  to  be 
seen  in  the  compromise  petition  which  found  favor 
with  the  House  of  Burgesses  and  was  the  basis 
of  their  legislation.  The  Act  which  was  passed 
may  well  have  been  drawn  by  his  own  pen.  In 
contrast  with  the  previous  Act  it  is  unusually  spe- 
cific in  its  details,  and  would  seem  to  indicate  the 
hand  of  the  Surveyor, in  its  clearly  described  lines, 
and  of  the  Church  Warden  in  its  accurate  enumer- 
ation of  the  property  and  assets  of  the  Parish. 

But  ,there  is  another  silent  witness  to  Washing- 

41 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ton's  concern  in  this  division.  In  the  Library  of 
Congress  there  is  preserved,  among  his  journals 
and  some  other  manuscript  papers,  a  single  sheet 
of  foolscap  written  on  both  sides  in  his  most  formal 
hand,  and  giving  the  result,  first  of  the  elections 
of  Vestries  for  the  two  Parishes  held  in  March, 
1765,  under  the  first  Act  of  Assembly,  and  then  of 
those  held  in  July  of  the  same  year  under  the  pro- 
visions of  the  second  Act.  The  first  page  shows 
a  large  preponderance  of  .voters  in  Fairfax  Parish 
at  the  first  elections,  bearing  out  the  assertion  that 
the  first  division  was  very  unequal.  The  second 
page,  with  the  simple  calculation  at  the  bottom, 
shows  the  number  of  voters  in  the  two  Parishes 
at  the  second  election  to  have  been  nearly  the 
same;  334  in  Fairfax  and  313  in  Truro.  Later  the 
Vestry  Book  records  that  the  new  division  gave 
to  Fairfax  Parish  10 13  tithables,  leaving  962  in 
Truro. 

This  paper  shows  that  at  the  first  election,  in 
March,  1765,  Col.  Washington  w^as  elected  a  Ves- 
tryman of  the  first  .Fairfax  Parish,  he  being,  for 
the  moment,  a  resident  therein.  The  fife  of  this 
Parish  was  exactly  four  months,  and  of  this  Vestry- 
elect  two  months  and  three  days,  even  if  its  mem- 
bers ever  qualified  or  met  for  organization,  of 
which  there  is  no  evidence.  In  July,  Mount  Ver- 
non having,  in  the  meantime,  been  restored  to 
Truro,  Col.  Washington  was  again  elected  a  Ves- 

42 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

tryman  of  Truro  Parish,  and  was  not  eligible  in 
any  other. 

An  accurate  copy  of  this  interesting  paper,  as 
written  by  Washington,  will  be  found  on  the  fol- 
lowing pages,  being  here  published  in  complete 
form,  it  is  believed,  for  the  first  time. 


43 


HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


COPT   OF  PAPER   IN  WASHINGTON'S   HANDWRITING,    NOW   IN 
THE   LIBRARY   OF    CONGRESS. 
(First  Page.) 
VESTRY  CHOSEN  FOR  TRURO         VESTRY   CHOSEN   FOR     FAIR- 
PARISH  25th.   MARCH   1765  FAX  PARISH  28th.  MARCH 

1765 
with    the    Number    of    Votes    to 


with   the   Number    of   Votes    to 
each. 

Mr.  Edward  Payne 234 

Colo.  George    Mason    210 

Captn.    Daniel    Mc.Carty    ....181 
Mr.   Thos.   Withers  Coffer  ....174 

Mr.    William    Gardner    169 

Colo.   George  Wm.   Fairfax    ..161 

Mr.    Alexr.    Henderson    15S 

Captn.   Lewis  Ellzey    152 

Mr.    Thomison    Ellzey     151 

Mr.   Thomas   Ford 151 

Mr.    John   Ford    141 

Majr,    Peter   Wagener    126 

Candidates  then  rejected 

Doctr.    Cookburn 

Mr.  Benja.    Grayson 

Mr.  Joshua   Furguson 

Mr.  Edward   Washington 

Mr.  William   Baylis 

Mr.  Henry   Boggess 

Mr.  William   Linton 

Mr.  Marmaduke  Beckwith 

Mr.  John    Thompson 

Mr.  Thomas  Lucas 

Mr.  George  Simpson 

Mr.  Benja.    Talbot 

Mr.  Joseph    Bennet 

Mr.  John   Daniel 

Mr.  John   Monro* 

Mr.  James  Halley 


each 

Colo.   John  West   340 

Mr.   Charles  Alexander   309 

Mr.  William   Payne    304 

Captn.    John   Dalton    281 

C.    Geo.    Washington    274 

Majr.  Chs.  Broadwater 260 

Captn.    George    Johnston    .  .  .  .254 

Mr.    Townsend   Dade    252 

Mr.   Richd.    Sanford    24  7 

Mr.    Willm.    Adams     244 

Captn.    Posey    222 

Mr.   Daniel  French    221 

Candidates    then    rejected 

Mr.   Thomas  Wren    220 

Mr.  James  Wren 205 

Mr.  Edward  Blackburn 204 

Mr.  John  West  Junr 199 

Mr.    Edward    Dulan     199 

Mr,  Benja.  Sebastian 160 

Mr.    James   Donaldson    131 

Mr.   Henry  Gunnel    12C 

Mr.  John  Seal    120 

Mr.    Charles    Thrift     112 

Captn.    Sampson   Darrell    .... 


44 


HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


(Second 
VESTRY  CHOSEN  FOR  TRURO 
PARISH  22d.   JULY  1765 

with    the    Number    of    Votes    for 
each. 

Colo.    Geo.    Mason    282 

Captn.  Edwd.  Payne    277 

Colo.  Geo.   Washington    259 

Captn.  John  Posey   259 

Captn.    Daniel    Mc.Carty    24  G 

Colo.    Geo.    Wm.    Fairfax 235 

Mr.    Alexander    Henderson    .  .231 

Mr.    William    Gardner    218 

Mr.    Thomison    Ellzey    209 

Mr.  Thos.  Withers  Coffer   ...  .189 

Mr,    Wiliam    Lynton    173 

Mr.    Thomas  Ford    170 


Page.) 

VESTRY    CHOSEN    FOR    FAIR- 
FAX  PARISH   25th.    JULY   1765 

with    the    Number    of    Votes    for 
each. 

Colo.    West    309 

Mr.    William    Payne    289 

Mr.    William  Adams    250 

Captn.    John    Dalton    247 

Mr.    Thos,   Wren    237 

Mr.  Edward  Dulan 228 

Majr.  Chs.  Broadwater 225 

Mr.    Richard    Sanford 225 

Mr.  Daniel  French   21(5 

Mr.    Edward   Blackburn 210 

Mr.    Thos.    Shaw    209 

Mr.    Townsend  Dade    205 


Mr.    Henry    Boggess    168 

Mr.   Joshua   Furguson    162 

Mr.  Edward  Washington    .  ..  .154 

Mr.   George  Simpson    153 

Majr.    Peter    Wagener    146 

Mr.    Benja.    Grayson    139 

Mr.    William    Baylis    8C 


Mr.    James    Wren    205 

Mr.   Charles  Alexander 204 

Mr.    Robert   Alexander    204 

Captn.   George   Johnston    ....183 

Mr.   Sampson  Darrel    151 

Mr.  Benja.  Sebastian 150 

Mr.    Presley  Cox    85 


Whole   Number   of  Vot( 


3756        Whole   Number   of  Votes.  ...  4012 


12/3756/313   Number   of   Voters  12/4012/334    Number    of   Voter* 

15  41 

36  52 


45 


THE  TITSTORY  OF  TRURO  PARTSH 

Jared  Sparks,  in  his  Life  ,of  Washington  and 
also  in  the  Writings  of  Washington  which  he 
edited,  not  understanding  the  meaning  of  this 
paper  nor  Washington's  obvious  purpose  in  pre- 
paring it,  pubUshed  a  small  part  of  it  only,  namely 
the  two  lists  of  Vestrymen  elected,  the  one  in  Fair- 
fax Parish  on  March  28th  and  the  other  in  Truro 
Parish  on  July  22d,  in  which  the  name  of  Wash- 
ington appears.  He  thus  gave  rise  to  the  ground- 
less tradition,  which  has  been  so  generally  adopted 
and  perpetuated  by  succeeding  writers,  that  Wash- 
ington served  as  a  Vestryman  in  both  of  these 
Parishes,  and  presumably  at  the  same  time,  though 
Sparks  is  careful  not  to  assert  this.  But  had  he 
published  the  whole  paper  the  error  would  not 
have  arisen. 

Bishop  Meade  says  he  had  seen  a  printed  list  of 
these  Vestries  which  was  supposed  to  have  come 
from  *'A  leaf  of  the  old  Pohick  Vestry  Book  which 
had  by  some  means  gotten  into  the  Historical  So- 
ciety of  New  York.''  Dr.  Slaughter,  at  this  place, 
gives  this  list  as  ''Verified  by  Mrs.  Burton  Har- 
rison, who  kindly  inspected  the  missing  leaf  in  the 
New  York  Historical  Society  rooms  and  sent  me 
a  copy  of  it."  This  list  agrees  substantially  with 
that  given  by  Sparks,  as  do  they  both,  as  far  as 
they  go,  with  the  original  list  written  by  Washing- 
ton, though  both  omit  the  titles  before  the  differ- 
ent names  which  Washington,  with  old-fashioned 
punctiliousness,  was  so  careful  to  give.    The  New 

46 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

York  list,  however,  whatever  its  source,  is  not  from 
a  leaf  of  the  Vestry  Book  as  Bishop  Meade  un- 
derstood. 

One  frecjuently ,  fmds  the  assertion  made  by 
careless  writers  that  Washington  was  a  Vestry- 
man of  Pohick,  or  some  other,  Chiwcli.  Such  a 
statement  is,  of  course,  inaccurate,  and  Washing- 
ton himself  would  hardly  have  understood  what 
was  meant  by  it.  In  his  day  Vestries  in  Virginia 
were  confined  to  Parishes,  usually  containing  two 
or  three  Churches.  Pohick  is  the  only  Church  re- 
maining which  stood  in  Washington's  time  in  the 
Parish  of  which  he  was  a  Vestryman.  The  pres- 
ent Falls  Church  and  Christ  Church,  Alexandria, 
were  built  in  Fairfax  Parish  soon  after  its  separa- 
tion from  Truro. 

The  Vestry  chosen  for  Truro  at  the  MarcJi  elec- 
tions held  but  one  meeting.  This  was  on  April 
26,  1765,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Littlejohn. 

[We  now  resume  the  thread  of  the  History  as 
written  by  Dr.  Slaughter.] 

During  the  current  year  the  Minister  of  the 
Parish,  the  Rev.  Charles  Green,  departed  this  life. 
There  is  no  formal  notice  of  his  decease  in  the 
Vestry  Book.  It  was  not  the  custom  of  the  times 
to  pass  resolutions  on  such  occasions.  It  is  only 
referred  to  in  the  business  items,  four  months' 
salary  due  being  ordered  paid  to  his  executor. 
Falls  Church  and  Alexandria  were  no  longer  in 
Truro,  so  it  became  possible  to  have  another  place 

47 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  worship.  Accordingly  the  Vestry  rented  from 
Samuel  Littlejohn  the  tobacco  house  on  his  plan- 
tation^ for  one  thousand  pounds  of  tobacco  a  year, 
until  a  Church  could  be  built  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  present  Parish,  he  agreeing  to  keep  it  clean 
and  provide  water  for  the  congregation.  An 
agreement  was  made  with  John  Robertson  to  fit 
up  this  house  with  six  benches  the  length  of  the 
house  and  two  at  the  ends;  a  reading  desk  and 
Communion  table,  with  a  small  window  on  each 
side  of  the  desk;  to  lay  plank  on  the  joists  the 
width  of  eight  feet,  with  a  rail  in  front,  and  two 
broad  step  ladders,  and  to  stop  the  eaves;  all  to 
be  done  in  the  plainest  manner,  within  six  months, 
for  1400  pounds  of  tobacco.  When  the  house  was 
given  up  the  plank  used  was  to  remain  for  the  use 
of  the  Parish. 

The  Rev.  James  Scott,  of  Dettingen  Parish,  the 
grandfather  of  the  late  Judge  Scott,  of  Fauquier, 
often  officiated  in  Truro  in  the  interval  between 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Green  and  his  successor,  Mr.  Mas- 
sey.  He  received  payment  altogether  for  forty 
sermons,  at  332  pounds  of  tobacco  each.  The 
Rev.  John  Andrews,  of  Cameron  Parish,  also 
preached  twice,  at  the  same  rate. 

The  Vestry,  (that  elected  in  July,)  had  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  on  the  28th,  29th  and  30th  of  No- 
vember, 1765,  when  the  accounts  between  the  two 
Parishes  were  settled  as  far  as  could  be  done  at 

48 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

that  time.    The  settlement  is  spread  upon  the  min- 
utes in  full,  but  is  uninteresting."^ 

It  was  ordered,  That  the  agreement  made  with 
Samuel  Littlejohn  by  the  former  Vestry  be  con- 
tinued; That  Elijah  Williams  be  appointed  Reader 
at  Littlejohn's,  and  that  he  attend  there  to  read 
Divine  Service  every  Sunday,  and  that  he  be  paid 
at  the  rate  of  looo  pounds  of  tobacco  a  year;  That 
Mr.  George  Johi'iston  be  appointed  to  act  as  At- 
torney for  the  Parish,  and  that  he  return  a  list  of 
all  the  judgments  obtained  by  him  to  the  Church 
Wardens  by  the  first  of  November  annually;  and 
That  the  Vestry  meet  at  Mr.  William  Gardner's 
on  first  Monday  in  February  next  to  agree  with 
workmen  to  undertake  the  building  of  a  brick 
Church  to  contain  1600  superficial  feet;  the  Church 
Wardens  to  advertise  the  same  in  as  public  a  man- 
ner as  may  be,  and  each  workman  to  bring  a  plan 
and  estimate  of  expense.  George  Mason  and  Ed- 
ward Payne  were  continued  as  Church  Wardens 
for  the  next  year,  and  the  latter  was  appointed 
Collector  of  the  Parish  Levy,  giving  bond  and  se- 
curity as  was  the  custom. t     John  Barry  was  con- 

•An  echo  of  the  contest  orer  the  Parish  lines  is  found  in  two 
items  charged  against  Truro:  "To  Mr.  Thomizen  Ellzey  for  run- 
ning the  line  from  Johnson's  ferry  to  the  fork  of  Difficult,"  and 
"To  Majr.  Wagener  for  copying  six  lists  of  tithables  in  April, 
1765." 

fThe  Levy  this  year  was  60  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll,  as 
against  from  20  to  37  pounds  for  many  years  before  the  division. 
It  continued  to  range  at  from  60  to  80  pounds  for  six  years  follow- 
ing, while  Payne's  and  the  new  Pohick  Churches  were  being  built, 
after  which  it  gradually  fell  to  about  the  former  average.  It  is 
probable  that  the  Vestrymen  themselves  paid  one-half  of  the  tithes 
of  the  Parish,  Washington  and  Mason  being  doubtless  the  largest 
ratepayers. 

49 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

tinned  as  Clerk  of  the  Vestry;  and  the  third  Fri- 
day in  November  annually  was  appointed  as  a 
day  for  meeting. 


Payne's  Church 

"At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro  Parish  at  William 
Gardner's  on  the  3rd  and  4th  days  of  February, 
1766 — 

Present,  Mr.  Edwd.  Payne,  C.  W. 
Colo.  Geo.  Washington   Mr.  William  Gardner 
Capt.  Daniel  Mc.Carty     Thomas  Withers  Coffer 
Colo.  Geo.  Wm.  Fairfax  Wm.  Linton  & 
Mr.  Alexr.  Henderson     Thos.  Ford 

Vestrymen. 
Who  being  there  met  to  enquire  the  most  con- 
venient place  to  erect  a  new  Church,  and  to  agree 
with  workmen  to  build  the  same. 

"Resolved,  that  the  new  Church  be  built  on  the 
middle  Ridge  near  the  Ox  road,  the  ground  to  be 
laid  off  by  Mr.  Edward  Payne,  Mr.  William 
Gardner,  Mr.  Thos.  Withers  Coffer  and  Mr. 
Thos.  Ford,  or  any  three  of  them,  on  the  land  sup- 
posed to  be  belonging  to  Mr.  Thomazen  Ellzey, 
who  being  present  consents  to  the  same. 

"Agreeable  to  a  plan  and  articles  annexed  there- 
to Mr.  Edward  Payne  hath  undertaken  to  build 
the  said  Church  for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  pounds  Virginia  Currency. 

"Ordered  that  the  said  Edward  Payne  do  paint 

50 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

the  cornish,  windows  and  doors  of  the  said  Church 
and  bring  in  his  charge  thereof.  And  that  he  pay 
to  Mr.  John  Ayres  forty  shilHngs  for  his  plan  and 
estimate. 

"Ordered  that  Col.  Geo.  Washington,  Capt. 
Daniel  McCarty,  Colo.  Geo.  Wm.  Fairfax,  Mr. 
Alex.  Henderson  and  Mr.  Thos.  Ford,  or  any 
three  of  them,  do  view  and  examine  the  said  build- 
ing from  time  to  time  as  shall  be  requisite. 

"Ordered  that  31,549  lb.  of  tobo.  in  the  hands  of 
the  Church  Wardens  for  the  year  1764,  to  wit, 
George  Washington  and  George  Wm.  Fairfax 
Esqrs.  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder,  before  the 
Court  House  door  of  this  County  on  the  first  day 
of  June  Court  next  between  the  hours  of  12  and 
4,  and  that  publick  notice  be  given  of  the  sale.'' 

"Memorandum  of  an  Agreement  made  this 
fourth  day  of  February  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  six,  between  the  Vestry  of  Truro 
Parish  in  the  County  of  Fairfax  and  Edward  Payne 
of  the  Parish  of  Truro  and  County  aforesaid  as  fol- 
lows, vizt. — 

"The  said  Edward  Payne  does  undertake  and 
agree  to  build  and  finish  in  a  Workman  Hke  man- 
ner a  Church  on  the  Ox  Road,  to  be  placed  agree- 
able to  an  order  of  the  said  Vestry,  of  the  follow- 
ing Demensions  &  according  to  the  annexed  Plan, 
to  wit.  Fifty  three  and  an  half  feet  in  length,  and 
thirty  feet  in  breadth  in  the  Clear;  the  walls  to  be 
built  of  good  Bricks,  well  burnt,  of  the  ordinary 

51 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

size,  that  is  nine  Inches  long,  four  and  an  half  In- 
ches broad,  and  three  Inches  thick,  the  outside 
Bricks  to  be  laid  with  Mortar  two  thirds  lime  and 
one  third  sand,  the  inside  Bricks  to  Ije  laid  with 
Mortar  half  lime  and  half  sand.  The  Corners  of 
the  House,  the  Windows  &  Doors,  to  be  of  rubb  hI 
Brick — The  Arches  and  Pediment  head':  of  the 
Doors  and  Windows  to  be  of  Bricks  rubbed 
gauged  and  set  in  Putty. 

"The  Doors  to  be  made  of  Pine  Plank,  two  In- 
ches thick,  moulded  and  raised  Pannells  on  both 
sides. 

"The  Sashes  to  be  made  of  Pine  Plank,  one  Inch 
and  three  quarters  thick,  and  to  have  Sixteen 
lights  in  each  square  Sash,  of  the  best  crown-Glass, 
twelve  Inches  by  ten.  The  Window  and  Door 
Cases  to  be  made  with  double  Archatraves. 

"The  floors  and  Gallery  to  be  framed  with  good 
Oak,  the  Roof  to  be  framed  with  good  Poplar — 
and  the  Scantling  to  be  of  a  size  and  proper  Pro- 
portion to  the  Building. 

"The  Roof  to  be  covered  with  Inch  pine  Plank 
cyphered  and  lapt,  one  and  an  half  Inches.  And 
to  be  Shingled  with  good  Cypress  Shingles,  twenty 
Inches  in  length  and  to  show  six  Inches. 

"The  Cornish  to  be  in  Proportion  to  the  hight 
of  the  Walls  (which  are  to  be  twenty  two  feet  and 
an  half,)  with  Dentile  Blocks. 

"The  floors  to  be  laid  with  pine  Plank,  one  and 
an  half  Inch  thick,  the  lies  to  be  laid  with  Brick 

52 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Tyles,  the  Pews  to  be  wainscotted  with  Pine  plank, 
an  Inch  and  an  half  thick,  double  work  on  each 
side  of  the  framing  and  raised  pannel  on  one  side. 

"To  have  an  Altar  Piece  sixteen  feet  high  & 
twelve  feet  wide,  and  done  with  wainscot  after  the 
Ionic  order.  The  floor  of  the  Communion  place 
to  be  raised  twelve  Inches  higher  than  the  floor 
of  the  house  with  hand  rails  and  Banisters  of  black 
Walnut. 

"The  Pulpit,  Canopy  and  reading  Desks  to  be  of 
black  walnut.  Wainscoted  with  proper  Cornish. 

"The  Gallery  to  be  supported  by  Collums  turned 
&  fluted,  to  come  out  as  far  as  the  second  Window 
at  the  West  end  of  the  Church,  to  have  a  Wain- 
scoted front,  and  to  have  four  Seats  raised  one 
behind  and  above  another.  The  whole  to  be  done 
and  finished  by  the  first  Day  of  October  in  the 
Year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Sixty  eight, 
in  sufficient  and  workmanlike  manner,  agreeable 
to  the  Plan  aforesaid. 

'Tn  Consideration  whereof  the  said  Vestry  do 
agree  to  pay  unto  the  said  Edward  Payne  the  sum 
of  Five  hundred  and  Seventy  nine  pounds  Virginia 
Currency  in  manner  following  to  wit,  one  third 
part  of  the  said  sum  to  be  paid  on  the  first  Day 
of  July  next — another  third  part  when  the  Church 
is  covered,  and  the  remaining  part  when  the  whole 
work  is  compleated  and  finished.  In  Witness 
whereof  the  said  Parties  (to  wit)  the  Members  of 
the  said  Vestry  here  Present  and  the  said  Edward 

53 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Payne   have    hereunto    interchangeably    set    their 
Hands  the  Day  and  Year  first  above  written. 

"The  said  Edward  Payne  is  also  to  Ceil,  Plaister 
&  Whitewash  the  inside  of  the  said  Church  in  a 
proper  manner,  and  to  find  and  put  on  Locks  and 
Hinges  on  the  Doors  &  hinges  on  the  Pews  &c. 
"Signed  &c.  Go.  AX'ashington 

in  presence  of  Daniel  IMc.Carty 

Lee  Massey  Go.  Wm.  Fairfax 

John  Barry  A.  Henderson 

John  Tillett  William  Gardner 

Thos.  Withers  Coft'er 
William  Linton 
Thos.  Ford 
A  true  copy  Edwd.  Payne. 

Test,  John  Barry,  Clk.  Vestry." 

Tpie  Rev.  Lee  Massey,  Second  Rector 

At  this  same  meeting  of  the  Vestry  the  follow- 
ing action  was  taken:  ''Whereas  Mr.  Lee  Mas- 
sey, an  Inhabitant  of  this  Parish,  having  this  day 
offered  to  supply  the  place  of  a  Minister  therein, 
and  the  Vestry  being  of  opinion  that  he  is  a  person 
wxll  qualified  for  the  sacred  function,  have  agreed 
to  recommend  him  to  the  favour  of  His  Grace  the 
Bishop  of  London  and  of  the  Governor  of  this 
Colony,  for  an  Introduction  to  this  said  Parish, 
and  to  receive  him  upon  his  return  properly  quali- 
fied to  discharge  the  said  office." 

54 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

'Tn  consequence  of  the  aforesaid  Resolve  a 
Recommendation  to  his  Lordship  the  Bishop  of 
London,  and  an  address  to  his  Honour  the  Gover- 
nor of  this  Colony  in  favour  of  Mr.  Lee  Massey 
being  made  out,  are  ordered  hereafter  to  be  re- 
corded." 

"At   a   Vestry    held    for   Truro    Parish   in   the 
County   of   Fairfax  and   Colony   of  Virginia,   the 
fourth  day  of  Fe1)ruary  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  six. 
To  His  Grace  the  Bishop  of  London. 

Whereas  Mr.  Lee  Massey  purposes  to  enter  into 
holy  Orders  and  hath  applied  to  this  Vestry  for 
their  Recommendation  to  his  Grace  the  Bishop  of 
London  and  to  his  Honour  the  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia and  offers  and  engages  so  soon  as  he  shall 
be  properly  Ordained  to  return  to  Virginia  and 
receive  and  accept  of  this  Parish  of  Truro  now 
vacant  by  the  death  of  the  late  Rector,  the  Rever- 
end Mr.  Charles  Green,  Provided  we  will  keep  the 
same  vacant  for  him  during  our  right  of  Patron- 
age, or  the  Governor  will  be  pleased  to  induct  him 
into  it,  if  the  Vestry's  right  of  Patronage  is  ex- 
pired when  he  returns.  And  the  said  Lee  Massey 
having  lived  several  years  amongst  us  and  his 
moral  Character  and  unexceptionable  Life  and 
Conversation  being  well  known  to  most  of  us,  we 
beg  leave  to  recommend  him  to  his  Grace  the 
Bishop  of  London  as  a  Person  well  qualified  for 
the  Sacred  Function,  and  also  to  the  Favor  of  the 

55 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Honourable  Francis  Fauquier  Esqr.  Governor  of 
this  Colony,  and  humbly  entreat  him  to  induct  the 
said  Mr.  Lee  Massey  into  this  Parish  of  Truro  in 
case  he  should  return  after  the  expiration  of  our 
right  of  Patronage,  On  which  condition  we  do 
hereby  agree  and  oblige  ourselves  to  keep  the  said 
Parish  vacant  accordingly,  and  to  receive  and  pro- 
vide for  the  said  Mr.  Lee  Massey  as  Rector  there- 
of according  to  the  Laws  of  this  Colony. 

In  Testimony  whereof  we  being  Vestrymen  of 
the  said  Parish  of  Truro,  (and  all  that  are  now 
present,)  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  the  day  and 
year  above  written. 

Edwd.  Payne  Go.  Washington 

Daniel  Mc.Carty  Go.  Wm.  Fairfax 

A.  Henderson  William  Gardner 

Thos.  Withers  Coffer       Thos.  Ford 

William  Lint(^n 

Copy.     John  Barry,   Clk.  Vestry. 

Fairfax  County,  Truro  Parish,  Feby.  4th,  1766. 
Sir, 

W'e  the  Vestry  of  Truro  Parish  beg  leave  to 
recommend  to  yr.  Honour's  Notice  and  Favour, 
the  Bearer,  ]\Ir.  Lee  Massey,  who  has  an  Intention 
of  entering  into  holy  Orders,  provided  he  can 
have  a  certainty  of  this  Parish,  and  as  his  Charac- 
ter and  Personal  Merit  is  well  known  to  us,  we 
are  very  desirous  of  receiving  him,  and  have  given 
him  the  best  Title  in  our  Power.     But  it  being 

56 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

probable  that  he  cannot  return  from  England 
while  the  Parish  remains  in  our  disposal,  we  most 
earnestl}^  recommend  him  to  your  Honour's  good 
offices  herein,  and  if  you  will  be  pleased  to  favour 
him  with  an  Induction  or  Presentation  to  this 
Parish,  in  case  he  returns  after  the  Expiration  of 
our  right,  we  will  engage  to  keep  the  same  vacant 
for  him  as  long  as  it  is  in  our  power.*  An  answer 
will  very  particularly  oblige, — Your  Honour's 
most  obedt.  humble  Servants. — 
Edwd.  Payne  Go.  Washington 

Daniel  Mc.Carty  Go.  Wm.  Fairfax 

A.  Henderson  William  Gardner 

Thos.  Withers  Coffer       Thos.  Ford 

William  Linton 
To   the   Hon.ble   Francis    Fauquier   Esqr.    Lieut. 

Governor  of  Virginia. 
Copy. 

Test  John  Barry  Clk.  Vestry. 

At  a  Vestry  held  July  loth,   1766,  there  were 
present  as  above  with  the  addition  of  Col.  George 


♦These  letters  recall  the  old  contest  between  the  Governors  and 
the  Vestries  in  regard  to  the  right  of  presentation  and  the  induc- 
tion of  Ministers  into  the  Parishes.  The  early  Governors  claimed 
the  rig-ht  of  Patronage  as  the  representatives  of  the  Crown,  and  in 
some  instances  sought  to  exercise  it  by  forcing  unwelcome  Ministers 
upon  certain  Parishes.  But  the  claim,  or  at  least  its  enforcement, 
was  vigorously  resisted.  Many  of  the  Vestries  adopted  the  plan  of 
electing  their  Ministers  year  by  year,  thus  avoiding  a  vacancy  but 
saving  the  risk  of  having  an  inefficient  or  unworthy  Minister  sad- 
dled upon  them  and  drawing  his  legal  salary  for  life.  A  law  passed 
in  1748  declared  the  sole  right  of  presentation  to  remain  in  the 
Vestry  for  twelve  months  after  a  Tacancy  occurred.  After  that  it 
was  supposed  to  rest  with  the  Governor.  This  is  the  law  the  Vestry 
here  had  in  mind.  Fortunately  the  Vestry  of  Truro  was  saved 
from  all  trouble  in  respect  to  their  Ministers  by  being  able  to  choose 
good  men  already  known  to  them  and  sending:  them  to  England 
for   orders. 

57 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Mason.  Church  Warden  Edward  Payne,  who  had 
been  previously  directed  to  enquire  into  certain 
deficiencies  in  the  work  ordered  done  on  the  Falls 
Church  in  1763,  reported  that  he  had  appUed  to 
the  persons  formerly  appointed  to  view  this  work 
and  they  had  denied  having  had  any  orders  to  view 
the  same  and  refused  to  concern  themselves. 
Whereupon  it  was  ordered  that  Thomas  Price 
view  the  work  and  report  what  deficiencies  appear 
therein,  that  Mr.  Payne  attend  as  representative 
of  this  Vestry  and  request  the  Fairfax  Vestry  to 
appoint  a  workman  and  one  of  their  members  to 
attend  the  view  on  behalf  of  their  Parish.  Tobacco 
on  hand  was  ordered  to  be  sold  at  July  and  August 
Courts. 

At  the  regular  meeting  in  November  the  Parish 
Levy  was  laid,  amounting  to  55,860  pounds  of 
tobacco;  of  which  35,000  was  for  "building 
Churches.''  Col.  George  Washington  and  Mr. 
William  Gardner  were  appointed  Church  War- 
dens for  the  ensuing  year,  and  were  ordered  to 
receive  the  money  due  from  George  Washington, 
Geo.  Wm.  Fairfax,  Capt.  McCarty  and  William 
Payne,  former  Church  Wardens,  and  pay  Edward 
Payne  what  was  due  to  him.  Mr.  Gardner  was 
also  appointed  Collector. 

1767.  February  23d.  At  a  Vestry  held  this  day 
there  were  present  George  Washington  Esqr.  and 
Mr.  William  Gardner,  Church  Wardens,  and 
Messrs.  Mason,  Payne,  Posey,  McCarty,  Hender- 

58 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

son,  Coffer,  Linton,  and  Thomazen  Ellzey.  "Pur- 
suant to  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  entitled 
an  Act  to  empower  the  Vestry  of  Truro  Parish  in 
the  County  of  Fairfax  to  sell  their  Glebe  and 
Church  Plate — Ordered  that  the  said  Glebe  and 
Church  Plate  be  sold  at  Public  Vendue  on  Friday 
the  22d  of  May  next.  The  sale  to  be  upon  the 
premises,  and  the  Purchaser  or  Purchasers  to  be 
allowed  eighteen  months  credit,  giving  bond  with 
good  security." 

The  Church  Wardens  were  ordered  to  employ 
a  Surveyor  to  run  the  lines  of  the  Glebe  land  and 
to  make  a  plot  thereof.  Also  to  advertise  the 
same  with  a  proper  description  of  land  and  im- 
provements, and  the  Church  plate,  in  the  Virginia 
and  Maryland  Gazettes. 

"The  Rev.  Lee  Massey  having  produced  to  this 
Vestry  a  presentation  to  the  Rectory,  Benefice  and 
Cure  of  this  Parish  under  the  hand  of  Francis  Fau- 
quier Esqr.  Lieutenant  Governor  &c.  of  Virginia 
and  under  the  Seal  of  the  Colony,  dated  January 
the  14th.  1767,  Ordered  that  the  said  Lee  Massey 
be  accordingly  received  into  this  Parish  as  Min- 
ister thereof,  and  be  provided  for  pursuant  to  the 
Laws  of  this  Colony."  Mr.  Massey  was  also  al- 
lowed "the  Annual  Sum  of  4000  pounds  of  tobacco 
in  lieu  of  a  Glebe  until  one  is  purchased." 

James  Wren  and  Thomas  Price,  the  workmen 
appointed  to  view  the  work  done  to  Falls  Church, 
reported  that  there  appeared  to  be  a  deficiency 

59 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

in  the  work  of  nine  pounds  fourteen  shillings  and 
sixpence.  The  Church  Wardens  were  ordered 
to  "apply  to  Alaj.  Charles  Broadwater  (the  Under- 
taker of  the  said  work)  for  the  said  sum  and  ac- 
count with  the  Vestry  of  Fairfax  Parish  for  their 
proportion  of  the  same  when  it  is  received." 

"Ordered  that  a  Vestry  House  be  built  at  the 
new  Church  of  the  dimensions  and  in  manner 
following  Vizt.  of  Brick,  twenty  by  sixteen  feet, 
with  a  large  inside  chimney,  nine  feet  pitch  from 
the  Foundation,  with  Brick  or  Tile  floor,  covered 
with  Cypress  Shingles,  Ceiling  and  Walls  Plaist- 
ered  and  whitewashed,  one  pannell  Door  in  the 
broad  side,  with  a  Sash  Window  with  twelve 
Lights  and  pannel  Shutters  opposite.  Barge 
board  and  Cornis.  The  Barge  boards  and  Cornis, 
Door  Window  and  Shutters  to  be  painted,  a  Lock 
to  the  Door.  The  said  House  to  be  furnished  with 
a  Table  and  three  Benches,  for  making  which  and 
the  Cornis  the  Undertaker  to  be  allowed  a  sufifi- 
ciency  of  Planks  out  of  the  Parishes  Plank  now  in 
Samuel  Littlejohn's  Tobacco  House."  All  was  to 
be  finished  by  Christmas,  and  Edward  Payne  un- 
dertook the  work  for  Fifty  one  pounds  ten  shill- 
ings, current  money. 

The  Vestry  met  again  on  May  22d.,  the  day  of 
the  sale,  at  the  Glebe.  Present,  Rev.  Lee  Mas- 
sey,  Minister,  George  Washington  and  William 
Gardner  Church  Wardens,  and  Messrs.  Mason, 
Payne,  Mc.Carty,  Posey  and  Linton. 

60 


.THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

''Mr.  Thomazen  Ellze)-  having  returned  a  Plott 
of  a  Survey  made  of  the  Glebe  Land,  pursuant  to 
a  former  order  of  the  Vestry,  containing  three 
hundred  eighty  five  Acres  and  an  half  only,  which 
said  Quantity  of  Land  being  exposed  to  sale  to 
the  highest  Bidder  was  purchased  by  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  Gent,  at  the  price  of  Three  hundred  and 
twenty  two  pounds  Virginia  Currency,  who  gave 
his  Bond  w^th  Mr.  Richard  Chichester  his  Secur- 
ity for  the  same,  payable  eighteen  months  hence, 
to  George  Washington  and  William  Gardner, 
Church  Wardens,  for  the  Use  of  this  Parish." 

"The  Church  Plate  being  also  exposed  to  sale, 
was  purchased  by  the  said  Daniel  Mc.Carty,  at 
the  price  of  Twenty  six  pounds,  Virginia  Cur- 
rency, for  the  Use  of  the  Parish." 

The  Vestry  met  again  July  25th,  1767.  Pres- 
ent, Col.  Washington  and  Mr.  Gardner,  Church 
\\'ardens,  and  Messrs.  Payne,  Mc.Carty,  Fairfax, 
Henderson,  Ellzey  and  Linton.  George  Washing- 
ton and  George  William  Fairfax  exhibited  ac- 
counts of  tobacco  levied  in  1763,  and  the  sale 
thereof  and  payments  made  to  Edward  Payne. 
Account  received  and  approved.  Mr.  Payne  ex- 
hibited similar  accounts  of  tobacco  levied  in  1765, 
and  of  money  received  by  him  for  building  the 
new  Church  and  the  balance  still  due,  which  were 
approved.  Tobacco  in  the  hands  of  William  Gard- 
ner, Collector,  ordered  sold.  Balance  due  Mr. 
Payne  on  second  payment  for  the  Church  to  be 

61 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

paid,  and  the  residue  of  the  money  to  remain  in 
the  Collector's  hands,  he  giving  bond  with  fresh 
security  for  its  payment  when  demanded. 

Col.  George  Mason,  Capt.  McCarty,  Mr.  Ellzey 
and  Mr.  Linton  appointed  to  view  the  new  Vestry 
House,  and  if  they  receive  the  same  the  Collector 
to  pay  Mr.  Payne  the  contract  price. 

"George  William  Fairfax  Esqr.  having  con- 
sented to  import  for  the  Use  of  this  Parish  (at  the 
Risque  of  the  Parish)  two  folio  Prayer  Books  and 
a  Quarto  Bible,  Ordered  that  upon  receipt  thereof 
the  Church  Wardens  for  the  time  being  pay  him 
for  the  same,  if  they  have  so  much  money  in  their 
hands." 

Orders  for  Processioning: — James  Halley  Sen, 
and  Moses  Simpson,  between  Occoquan,  the  Ox 
road  and  the  County  line.  George  Simpson  and 
William  Keen,  betw^een  the  Ox  road  and  the  Back- 
lick  road  from  the  Parish  line  down  to  the  road 
that  leads  from  Cameron  by  the  Glebe  to  where 
it  crosses  Pohic,  below  Robert  Boggess'.  Wil- 
liam Triplett  and  Joseph  Cash,  between  the  Back- 
lick  road,  the  Parish  line,  Potowmack  river  and 
Pohic  Creek. 

On  September  28th,  1767,  the  Vestry  met  for 
the  fifth  time  during  this  fiscal  year.  Present, 
Rev.  Lee  Massey,  Washington,  Gardner,  Mason, 
Posey,  Payne,  Coffer,  Ellzey  and  Ford.  The  min- 
utes recite  several  former  orders  for  the  sale  of 
tobacco  and  payments  to  be  made  by  the  Col- 

62 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

lector,  none  of  which  had  been  complied  with  ex- 
cept one  sale  of  15,000  pounds  to  Mr.  Hector 
Ross,  for  which  his  note  was  now  given  to  the 
Church  Wardens;  it  was  ordered  that  Mr.  Ross 
pay  Mr.  Payne  what  was  due  him  on  the  second 
payment  for  the  Church  and  for  the  Vestry  House 
when  it  should  be  received  by  the  viewers.  And 
the  Collector  was  to  account  with  the  Vestry  at 
its  next  meeting  for  the  tobacco  remaining  in  his 
hands. 


The  New  Pohick  Church 

1767.  The  annual  meeting  for  laying  the  Par- 
ish Levy  was  held  November  20th.  Present,  the 
entire  Vestry. 

''Resolved,  that  a  Church  be  built  at  or  as  near 
the  Cross  Road  leading  from  Hollis's  to  Pohic 
\\'arehouse  as  water  can  be  had,  which  resolution 
was  carried  by  a  majority  of  seven  to  five." 

Bishop  Meade  has  handed  down  a  tradition  as 
to  the  part  which  Washington  took  in  the  location 
of  this  Church.  Although  no  allusion  is  made  to 
it  in  the  Vestry  Book  it  is  good  enough  to  be 
true  and  therefore  we  reproduce  it,  as  follows: 
'The  Old  Pohick  Church  was  a  frame  building, 
and  occupied  a  site  on  the  south  side  of  Pohick 
run,  and  about  two  miles  from  the  present  site 
which  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  run.  When  it 
was  no  longer  fit  for  use,  it  is  said  the  parishioners 

63 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

were  called  together  to  determine  on  the  locality 
of  the  new  Church,  when  George  Mason,  the  com- 
patriot of  Washington,  advocated  the  old  site, 
pleading  that  it  was  the  house  in  which  their 
fathers  worshipped,  and  that  the  graves  of  many 
were  around  it,  while  Washington  and  others  ad- 
vocated a  more  central  and  convenient  one.  The 
question  was  left  unsettled,  and  another  meeting 
for  its  decision  appointed.  INIeanwhile  Washing- 
ton surveyed  the  neighborhood,  and  marked  the 
houses  and  distances  on  a  well-drawn  maj^,  and, 
when  the  day  of  decision  arrived,  met  all  the  ar- 
guments of  his  opponent  bv  presenting  this  paper, 
and  thus  carried  his  point."  It  was  the  Vestry, 
however,  and  not  the  parishioners,  who  fixed  on 
the  site.  The  old  site  was  nearer  to  Gunston  and 
the  new  one  nearer  Mount  Vernon.* 

To  return  to  this  Vestry  meeting : — It  was  ''Or- 
dered, that  Mr.  William  Grayson  be  appointed  At- 
torney for  this  Parish,  and  that  he  be  paid  fees 
only  upon  such  suits  as  he  obtains  judgments  for." 

The  Collector  being  still  not  ready  to  settle  his 
accounts  a  special  Vestry  was  appointed  to  meet 
in  March  following  to  receive  from  him  the  to- 


*This  story  is  given  by  Sparks  in  his  Life  of  Washington,  and 
is  repeated  by  Lossing  and  others.  The  first  discussion  probably 
took  place  at  the  Vestry  held  on  September  28th,  at  which  time 
both  Mason  and  Washington  were  present  but  four  Vestrymen  were 
absent.  The  question  would  naturally  be  deferred  until  Messrs. 
Fairfax,  Henderson,  Mc.Carty  and  Linton  could  be  heard,  and  no 
mention  of  a  fruitless  debate  would  be  made  on  the  minutes.  The 
interest  taken  in  the  matter,  and  perhaps  the  opposition  to  the 
new  site,  is  indicated  by  the  full  atendance  at  this  Vestry,  and  by 
the  mention  made  of  the  vote  by  which  the  change  in  location  was 
adopted. 


64 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

bacco  due,  and  the  Clerk  was  ordered  to  give  his 

securities  notice  thereof. 

The  Parish  accounts,  to  meet  which  the  annual 

Levy  was  laid,  are  given  in  full  for  this  year,  A\'ash- 

ington  having  been  Church  Warden  and  principal 

administrator  of  Parish  afifairs. 

Dr. 
Tobacco.      £.    s.      d. 

To  Rev.  Lee  Massey's  salary..  17,280 

John  Barry,  Clk.  of  Pohic...   1,000 

Elijah    Williams,    do.    Little- 

john's   1,000 

Do.    for    three    days    extra 
attendance 60 

Mr.  Peter  Wagener,  Clerk  of 

the  County   G2'] 

Rev.  Lee  Massey,  in  lieu  of  a 
Glebe   4,000 

Rev.  James  Scott,  for  6  ser- 
mons      Ij992 

Samuel     Littlejohn,     Sexton, 

&c 1,000 

Charles  Wright,  Do.  at  Po- 
hic          560 

Grafton     Kirk     for     maintg. 

Sarah  Jackson   400 

William  Cullison,  per  acct....  100 

John  Hollis,  for  the  board  of 
Dorothy  Chesher,  from  the 
25th.  of  May  to  this  date.  .       200 

65 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Samuel  Russell  for  his  sup- 
port, he  being  allowed  to 
remove  to  Cameron  Parish, 
his  claim  to  continue 500 

Mr.  William  Grayson,  per  acct  6       o 

Doctr.     James    Nisbett,    per 

acct 8     15 

George  Washington  Esqr.  per 

acct I      13 

George  Mason  Esqr.  for  find- 
ing ellaments  twice 200 

William  Gardner,  bal.  per  acct. 
as  Church  Warden,  exclu- 
sive of  the  Collection  acct. 
that  not  being  settled 500  &  3     12 

Robert  Loyd,  for  his  support..      500 

John  Hollis,  for  his  support .  .       500 

(These  were  also  exempted 
from  paying  Levy  in  fu- 
ture.) 

Thomazen  Ellzey,  per  acct..  3     10 

John  Barry,  Clk.  Vestry,  sal- 
ary and  extra  services.  .  .  .       850 

Charles  Wright,  for  making  a 

back  and  hearth 5 

Thomazen    Ellzey,    for    extra 

services    5       o 

Tobacco      for      building      a 

Church    7,000 


38,169     29     16 
66 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

To  6  per   Ct.   for   Collecting 

38,169  lb.  of  Tobo 2,290 

To  a  fraction  in  the  Collectors 

hands   254 


40,713 
Cr. 

By  993  Tithables  at  41  lbs.  of 
Tobacco  per  Poll 40,713 

Cash  accounts  due  ordered  paid  out  of  money 
in  hands  of  Mr.  Hector  Ross.  John  Posey  and 
Thomazen  Ellzey  appointed  Church  Wardens  for 
the  next  year. 

1768.  March  5th.  Mr.  Gardner  settled  his  ac- 
count by  paying  18,011  lbs.  of  transfer  tobacco  and 
25  pounds  in  cash,  which  were  lodged  in  the  hands 
of  George  Mason  Esqr.  Mr.  Gardner  to  have  the 
privilege  of  exchanging  four  hogsheads  of  his  own 
crop  for  transfer  tobacco,  and  to  redeem  the 
money  with  2,101  lbs.  of  transfer  tobacco. 

"Ordered,  that  Hector  Ross  pay  out  of  the 
money  in  his  hands  to  George  William  Fairfax 
Esqr.  the  sum  of  sixteen  pounds,  seventeen  shill- 
ings current  money,  agreeable  to  the  account 
lodged  for  surplices  and  books  imported  by  him 
for  the  use  of  the  Parish." 

At  a  Vestry  held  at  the  new  Church,  (Payne's,) 
September  9th,   1768,*  to  view  and  examine  the 


•From    Washington's    diary,     1768.     "Septr.    9.    Proceeded    (from 
-Alexandria)    to   the  meeting   of   our  Vestry  at   the  new   Church   and 


67 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Avork,  they  found  it  to  be  completed  according  to 
agreement  except  the  brick  pediments  over  the 
doors,  "And  being  of  opinion  that  the  house  can 
receive  no  damage  from  the  weather  for  want  of 
the  pediments,  and  understanding  that  it  is  the 
general  desire  of  the  people  in  this  part  of  the 
Parish  to  have  the  Church  received,  on  account  of 
the  great  inconvenience  they  at  present  suffer  for 
want  of  it,  we  do  accordingly  receive  the  said 
Church  for  the  use  of  the  Parish,  except  the  pedi- 
ments, which  the  said  Edward  Payne  is  still  liable 
for  and  obliged  to  finish  according  to  the  Articles 
of  Agreement."  Col.  George  Mason  was  ordered 
to  make  to  Mr.  Payne  the  last  payment  on  the 
Church,  and  also  to  pay  an  account  for  '^making 
horse-blocks  and  benches,  clearing  the  Church- 
yard, and  for  some  additional  work  done  to  the 
Church  over  and  above  his  agreement,  which  we 
think  of  service  and  ornament  to  the  building." 
Messrs.  Ford,  Linton  and  Ellzey  "dissented  to  re- 
ceiving the  Church."* 


lodgd  at  Captn.  Edwd.  Paynes."  This  Church  was  about  seven- 
teen miles  from   Alexandria. 

On  July  16,  1768,  he  "Went  by  Muddy  Hole  and  Doeg  Run  to 
the  Vestry  at  Pohick  Church  stayed  there  till  half  after  3  oclock  «& 
only  4  members  coming  returned  by  Captn.  Mc.Cartys  and  dined 
there." 

♦This  Church  is  hereafter  known  in  the  Vestry  Book  as  the 
Upper  Church,  but  probably  from  the  beginning  was  popularly 
known  as  Payne's  Church.  It  stood  on  the  present  road  from  Fair- 
lax  Court  House  to  Fairfax  Station,  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
the  former  and  one  mile  from  the  latter.  Its  fate  was  that  of  many 
of  its  contemporaries.  After  the  Revolution  it  was  disused  except 
for  perhaps  occasional  services.  Early  in  the  last  century  the  Bap- 
tists took  possession  of  it  as  abandoned  property,  as  the  judgments 
of  the  Courts  allowed  them  to  do,  and  upon  the  division  in  that 
denomination  in  1840  the  Jerusalem  Baptist  Church,  (New  School,) 
was  organized    in   the   building   and   continued    to    use    it   until    1862. 


68 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

November  28,  1768, — The  Levy  includes  15,000 
lbs.  of  tobacco  for  building  a  Church.  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  Gent,  and  Thos.  Withers  Coffer  ap- 
pointed Church  Wardens.  Alex.  Henderson  and 
George  Mason  exhibited  accounts  of  moneys  from 
sales  of  tobacco  which  were  approved.  George 
Washington  was  ordered  to  pay  Mr.  Henderson 
eight  Pounds,  being  balance  in  his  hands  of  the 
sum  received  from  Major  Broadwater  for  de- 
ficiency in  work  done  on  the  Falls  Church.  Mr. 
Henderson  was  also  to  receive  from  Capt. 
Mc.Carty  372  Pounds  due  on  the  purchase  of  the 
Glebe.  William  Weston's  ofifer  to  cover  the  Ves- 
try House  at  Pohick,  the  Vestry  finding  the  nails, 
and  to  keep  it  always  clean  and  in  good  order  for 
the  purposes  of  the  Vestry,  for  permission  to  make 
use  of  the  said  house,  was  accepted.  Edward 
Payne  was  authorized  to  open  a  window  in  the 
west  end  of  the  upper  Church  to  give  light  and 
air  to  the  gallery,  and  bring  in  his  account.  It 
was  Ordered  that  the  Church  to  be  built  be  of 
brick,  and  contain  three  thousand  square  feet  from 
outside  to  outside;  and  that  the  Church  Wardens 


other  Denominations  also  held  occasional  services  there.  The 
building  remained  unaltered,  and  many  of  our  old  citizens  remember 
its  ancient  interior.  In  the  winter  of  1862-63  a  large  body  of  Fed- 
eral troops  were  encamped  in  the  vicinity,  and  by  them  the  fine 
old  Church  was  torn  down,  brick  by  brick,  and  the  material  used 
to  build  chimneys  and  hearths  for  their  winter  quarters.  The  tomb- 
stones in  the  large  graveyard  perhaps  shared  the  same  fate,  for 
only  one  or  two  remain,  though  the  yard  is  full  of  sunken  graves. 
A  small  frame  Baptist  Church  now  covers  part  of  the  site  of  old 
Payne's,    the   foundation   lines   of   which   can   still   be   traced. 

The  silver  Communion  service  belonging  to  this  Church  was 
given  by  an  old  lady  living  in  the  neighborhood  to  the  Rev.  "W.  F. 
Lockwood  about  the  year  1850,  and  was  by  him  presented  to  St. 
John's   Church,    Centerville,   where  it    is   still    in   use. 


69 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

give  notice  in  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  Gazettes 
for  workmen  to  attend  at  Pohick  on  the  first  Fri- 
day in  March  with  plans  and  estimates. 

At  a  Vestry  held  March  3d.  1769, 

Present,  the  Rev.  Lee  Massey,  Minister, 
Daniel  Mc.Carty, 
Thos.  Withers  Cofifer, 

Church  Wardens, 

George  Wm.  Fairfax        Edwd.  Payne 
George  Washington         Thomazen  Ellzey 
George  Mason  Wm.  Gardner 

Esqrs.         Wm.  Linton 
Alex.  Henderson  Thos.  Ford 

Vestrymen. 

^The  Vestry  having  met  pursuant  to  a  former 
order  to  let  the  building  of  the  new  Church  at 
Pohic, — Mr.  Daniel  French  undertook  the  build- 
ing the  new  Church  at  the  Cross  Roads,  for  the 
sum  of  £877  Virginia  Currency." 

"Ordered,  that  Mr.  Alexander  Henderson  pay 
to  Mr.  James  Wren  and  Mr.  William  Wait  each 
forty  shillings,  out  of  the  money  in  his  hands,  for 
the    plans    furnished    the   Vestry."*      Adjourned, 


♦This  would  seem  at  first  glance  to  dispose  of  the  tradition  that 
Washington  drew  the  plans  for  the  present  Pohick  Church.  Loss- 
ing  states,  however,  that  he  had  before  him,  when  he  wrote,  the 
original  plan  and  elevation  which  Washington  drew,  and  gives  a 
cut  of  them.  But  he  does  not  say  how  he  knew  them  to  have 
been  the  original  plans.  Washington  was  very  apt  to  possess  him- 
self of  a  copy  of  such  papers.  The  true  story  is  possibly  this: 
that  the  plans  and  specifications  adopted  were  a  composite  of  those 

70 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

''not  having  completed  their  business,"  until  April 
7th.     (But  no  meeting  was  held  on  that  date.) 

"At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro  Parish  at  the  Cross 
Roads  leading  from  Hollis's  to  Pohick  Warehouse 
Sepr.  2 1  St.  1769. — 

''A  spott  was  chosen  to  fix  the  new  Church  upon 
convenient  to  the  said  Cross  Roads,  and  agreeable 
to  a  former  order  of  the  Vestry,  bearing  date  the 
20th.  day  of  November,  1767.  A  yard  was  laid 
ofit"  for  the  said  Church,  and  a  certain  quantity  of 
land  laid  off  for  the  use  of  the  said  Parish,  for 
which  the  said  Vestry  do  agree  to  pay  Daniel 
French  Gent,  at  the  rate  of  one  Guinea  per  acre, 
for  what  the  same  shall  measure. 

"At  the  same  time  the  said  Daniel  French,  who 
on  the  third  day  of  March  last  undertook  to  build 
the  Church  for  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  seventy 
and  seven  Pounds,  Current  Money  of  Virginia, 
agreeable  to  a  plan  then  exhibited,  did  execute  an 


presented  by  Mr.  Wren,  Mr.  Wait(e)  and  perhaps  Mr.  French  who 
received  the  contract,  and  were  practically  di-awn  up  in  detail  at 
this  prolonged  meeting  of  the  Vestry.  In  this  work  Washington 
would  doubtless  have  a  large  share.  In  his  journal  he  mentions 
this  meeting:  '-Mar.  3d.  Went  to  a  Vestry  at  Pohick  Church  and 
returned  abt.  11  o'clock  at  night."  The  Vestry  Book  says  they  ad- 
journed to  April  7th,  "Not  having  completed  their  business,"  that 
is  not  having  drawn  and  signed  the  contract.  As  the  Vestry  usually 
met  early  in  the  afternoon  they  had  probably  given  six  or  seven 
hours  to  the  work,  which  would  indicate  very  careful  consideration 
and    perhaps    some    differences    of    opinion    to    be    reconciled. 

The  same  general  plan  was  followed  in  building  all  four  of 
the  Churches  erected  in  Fairfax  and  Alexandria  at  about  this  time. 
It  was  quite  the  usual  one  of  the  period,  omitting  for  the  sake 
of  economy  the  tower  and  the  cruciform  shape  common  in  the 
Churches  of  an  earlier  date.  The  tower  of  Christ  Church,  Alexan- 
dria, is  of  comparatively  recent  construction,  being  less  than  a  cen- 
tury old.  The  Falls  Church  was  built  by  Mr.  James  Wren,  and  may 
represent  the  plan  which  he  submitted  to  this  Vestry. 

/I 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

agreement  and  gave  bond  for  the  performance 
thereof,  agreeable  to  a  contract  entered  into  with 
the  Vestry  on  the  said  third  day  of  March,  and 
ordered  to  be  ratified  and  confirmed,  by  certain 
instruments  in  writing  on  the  seventh  day  of  April 
following,  but  which  for  want  of  a  meeting  of  the 
Vestry  on  that  day,  and  the  frequent  disappoint- 
ments since,  has  never  been  done  till  now."t 

^'Resolved,  that  the  Church  Wardens  procure 
from  the  said  Daniel  French  a  proper  conveyance 
of  the  lot  or  parcell  of  land  aforementioned."  They 
were  also  directed  to  receive  from  Mr.  Henderson 
the  money  in  his  hands  due  the  Parish  and  pay 
Mr.  French  200  Pounds,  the  first  payment  for 
the  new  Church. 

A  Notable  Building  Committee 

''Resolved,  that  the  Hon1)le.  George  Wm.  Fair- 
fax, George  Washington  &  George  Mason  Esqrs. 
Captn.  Daniel  Mc.Carty  &  Mr.  Edward  Payne  do 
view  and  examine  the  building  from  time  to  time, 
as  they  or  any  three  of  them  shall  see  fitting,  to 


tWashington's  diary  casts  some  light  on  these  "frequent  dis- 
appointments," and  would  seem  to  indicate  that  they  were  not 
wholly  accidental. 

(1769)  "Apl.  7.  Went  a  fox  hunting  in  the  morning  and  catchd 
a  dog  fox  after  running  him  an  hour  and  treeing  twice.  After  this 
went  to  an   intended  meeting  of  ye  Vestry  but   there  was  none." 

"July  24.  Went  to  an  intended  Vestry  at  ye  Cross  Roads,  but 
was  disappointed  of  one  by  Mr.  Hendersons  refusing  to  act."  Mr. 
Henderson,  living  at  Colchester,  was  probably  one  of  the  Vestrymen 
who  joined  with  Col.  Mason  in  opposing  the  new  site  for  the 
cniurch.  Is  it  possible  that  the  art  of  filibustering  was  not  unknown 
in    those    days? 


72 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

whom  the  undertaker  is  to  give  notice  when  the 
different  materials  are  ready." 

''Articles  of  Agreement  made  the  seventh 
day  of  April  in  the  year  1769.  Between  the 
Vestry  of  Truro  Parish  in  County  of  Fairfax, 
of  the  one  part,  and  Daniel  French  of  Fairfax 
Parish  in  the  County  aforesaid,  Gent,  of  the  other 
part,  as  follows,  Vizt.  The  said  Daniel  French 
doth  undertake  and  agree  to  build  and  finish  in  a 
workmanlike  manner  a  Church,  near  the  forks  of 
the  roads  above  Robert  Boggess's,  to  be  placed 
as  the  Vestry  shall  hereafter  direct,  of  the  follow- 
ing Dimensions  and  Materials,  to  Wit;  Sixty  six 
feet  in  length,  and  forty  five  feet  and  a  half  in 
breadth,  from  out  to  out,  the  Walls  twenty  eight 
feet  high  from  the  foundation,  to  be  built  of  good 
bricks  well  burnt,  of  the  ordinary  size,  that  is,  nine 
inches  long,  four  and  a  half  inches  broad,  and 
three  inches  thick,  to  be  three  bricks  thick  to  the 
Water  Table,  and  two  and  a  half  afterwards.  The 
outside  bricks  to  be  laid  with  mortar  two  thirds 
lime  and  one  of  sand,  and  the  inside  with  mortar 
half  lime  and  half  sand.  The  corners  of  the  House, 
the  Pedistals,  and  Doors  with  the  Pediment  heads 
to  be  of  good  white  freestone,  and  the  Returns 
and  Arches  of  the  Windows  to  be  of  rubbed  brick. 
The  Doors  to  be  made  of  pine  plank,  two  inches 
thick,  moulded  and  raised  pannells  on  both  sides, 
and  the  frames  thereof  to  be  of  pine  clear  of  sap, 

73 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

with  locust  sills.  The  Window  frames  to  be  of  pine 
clear  of  sap,  with  locust  sills;  the  sashes  to  be  made 
of  pine  plank  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick; 
the  Lights  to  be  of  the  best  Crown  Glass,  eighteen 
in  each  Window,  eleven  inches  by  nine;  the  Win- 
dow and  Door  Cases  to  be  made  with  double  Arch- 
atraves;  and  the  lower  Windows  to  have  weights 
and  pullies.  The  frame  of  the  Roof  to  be  of  pine, 
except  the  King-Posts  which  are  to  be  of  oak; 
and  the  scantling  to  be  of  a  size  and  proper  pro- 
portion to  the  building.  The  Roof  to  be  covered 
with  inch  pine  plank  well  seasoned,  and  cyphered 
and  lapt  one  inch  and  a  half,  and  then  with  cypress 
shingles  twenty  inches  long,  and  to  show  six  in- 
ches. A  Modillion  Cornice  on  the  outside,  and 
a  Cove  Cornice  on  the  inside,  and  the  Roof  to 
be  framed  according  to  the  Plan  thereof  annexed. 

"The  Floors  to  be  framed  with  good  oak  clear 
of  sap,  and  laid  with  pine  plank  inch  and  a  half 
thick,  and  well  seasoned.  The  Ends  of  the  Sleep- 
ers next  the  walls  of  the  House  to  have  at  least 
six  inches  hold  thereof,  and  their  other  ends  next 
to  the  Isles  to  be  supported  by  flush  and  entire 
brick  walls  or  underpinning  nine  inches  thick  and 
of  a  proper  height.  The  Isles  to  be  laid  with  flagg- 
stone,  well  squared  and  jointed. 

"The  Pews  to  be  wainscoted  with  pine  plank 
an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  well  seasoned,  to  be  quar- 
ter-round on  both  sides,  and  raised  pannal  on  one 

74 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

side;  the  seats  to  be  of  inch  and  half  pine  plank, 
fourteen  inches  broad  and  well  supported.  The 
Altar  Piece  to  be  twenty  feet  high  and  fifteen  feet 
wide,  and  done  with  wainscot  after  the  Ionic  Order, 
the  floor  of  the  Communion  Place  to  be  raised 
twenty  inches  higher  than  the  floor  of  the  House, 
with  hand-rails  and  Banisters  of  pine,  and  a  Com- 
niunion-Table  of  Black  Walnut  of  a  proper  size. 
The  Apostles  Creed,  the  Lords-Prayer,  and  the 
ten  Commandments  to  be  neatly  painted  on  the 
Altar-piece  in  black  letters. 

"The  Pulpit,  Canopy,  and  reading  Desks  to  be 
of  pine,  wainscoted  with  proper  Cornice,  and  ex- 
ecuted in  the  Ionic  Order. 

*'The  inside  of  the  Church  to  be  Ceiled,  Plaistered 
and  White-Washed;  no  Loam  or  Clay  to  be  used 
in  the  Plaistering.  The  Outside  Cornice  and  all 
the  Wooden- Work  on  the  inside  of  the  House  (ex- 
cept the  floors)  to  be  neatly  painted  of  the  proper 
colours.  Stone  Steps  to  be  put  to  the  Doors,  and 
locks  and  hinges;  and  hinges  to  the  Pews,  Pulpit 
and  Communion  Place. 

"The  whole  Building  to  be  compleated  and  fin- 
ished by  the  first  day  of  September,  which  shall 
be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  One  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  seventy  two,  in  a  sufficient  and  work- 
manlike manner,  and  agreeable  to  the  Plan  there- 
of hereunto  annexed,  except  with  this  Alteration 
in  the  West  end  of  it,  that  instead  of  the  door 

75 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

there  shall  be  a  window;  and  instead  of  the  two 
windows,  there  shall  be  two  doors  opposite  the 
two  Isles. 

"And  the  said  Daniel  French  doth  further  agree 
to  build  two  Horse-Blocks  with  each  two  flights 
of  Steps;  to  fix  six  benches  for  the  people  to  sit 
on  under  the  trees;  and  to  clear  and  remove  all 
the  rubbish  and  litter  from  off  the  Church  Lott, 
so  as  to  fit  it  for  the  Reception  of  the  Congrega- 
tion; and  to  have  those  additional  works  done  by 
the  time  appointed  for  the  finishing  the  Church. 

"In  Condition  of  the  Premises  the  Vestry  do 
agree  to  pay  unto  the  said  Daniel  French  the  sum 
of  Eight  hundred  and  seventy  seven  pounds  Cur- 
rent Money  of  Virginia  in  manner  following,  to 
wit,  Two  hundred  pounds  on  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember next;  Two  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds 
thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence  on  the  first  day 
of  September,  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy;  Two  hundred  and  twenty  five  pounds 
thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence,  on  the  first  day 
of  September,  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy  one;  and  the  remaining  Two  hundred  and 
twenty  five  pounds  thirteen  shilHngs  and  four 
pence,  on  the  first  day  of  September,  One  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  seventy  two;  at  which 
time  the  Church  is  to  be  finished. 

"In  Witness  whereof  the  said  Parties,  to  wit,  the 
Members  of  the  said  Vestry  here  present,  and  the 
said  Daniel   French,   have   hereunto   Interchang- 

76 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ably  set  their  Hands,  the  Day  and  Year  first  above 
written. 

Signed  and  DeHvered       Danl.  French 

in  the  Presence  of —    Daniel  Mc.Carty;  C.  W. 
John  Barry  Edwd.  Payne 

Wm.  Triplett  Go.  Washington 

Go.  Wm.  Fairfax 

Jno.  Posey 

William  Gardner 

Tz.  Ellzey. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Vestry  was  at  Pohick 
Church,  December  i,  1769.  The  Parish  Levy 
provided  for  the  payment, — To  Mr.  Daniel  French 
for  3  acres  and  26  perches  of  land  laid  off  for  the 
use  of  the  Parish  as  per  Plat,  4  Pounds,  2s.  4d.  To 
Capt.  Mc.Carty  for  advertising  the  letting  of  the 
Church,  18  shillings.  For  building  the  Church, 
&c.  34,900  pounds  of  Tobacco.  Alexander  Hen- 
derson and  Thomas  Ford  appointed  Church  War- 
dens. 

''Alexander  Henderson,  Gent,  one  of  the  Church 
Wardens  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  Augusus  Dar- 
rell,  having  apphed  for  the  Collection  of  the  Par- 
ish Levy,  the  said  Augustus  Darrell  is  appointed 
Collector,  the  Vestry  being  of  opinion  that  it  is 
improper  for  any  member  of  the  Vestry  to  be  Col- 
lector of  the  Parish  Levy.  And  it  is  ordered  that 
the  same  be  entered  on  the  Records  of  this  Parish; 
it   having   been    heretofore    customary    that    the 

77 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Church  Wardens  should  have  a  preference  of  the 
collection  to  any  other  person." 

Peirce  Bayly's  account  as  Collector  and  Sheriff 
was  approved.  It  was  "Ordered,  that  William 
Grayson  Esqr.  who  has  heretofore  been  appointed 
to  prosecute  suits  for  this  Parish,  be  now  ap- 
pointed Attorney  in  fact  for  the  Parish,  and  that 
he  receive  all  Moneys  and  Tobacco  arising  from 
Fines  and  Judgments,  and  account  with  the  Ves- 
try annually  for  the  same,  at  the  laying  of  the  Par- 
ish Levy."^^ 

1770.  Only  one  Vestry  held,  on  November  28. 
Parish  Levy  included  56,330  pounds  of  tobacco  for 
building  the  Church  and  as  a  fund  for  purchasing 
a  Glebe.  Honble.  George  William  Fairfax  Esqr. 
and  Edward  Payne,  Gent.  Church  Wardens.  Peter 
Wagener  and  Alartin  Cockburn,  Gents,  are  elected 
Vestrymen  in  place  of  William  Linton,  deceased, 
and  John  Posey,  removed.  (These  are  the  first 
breaks  in  the  ranks  of  the  Vestrymen  elected  in 
July,   1765.) 

1 77 1.  July  8th.  Messrs.  Wagener  and  Cock- 
burn  subscribed  the  promise  of  conformity  to  the 

♦Among  the  duties  of  the  Church  Wardens  was  that  of  present- 
ing to  the  Court  of  the  County  persons  guilty  of  gambling,  drunken- 
ness, profanity.  Sabbath  breaking,  failing  to  attend  Church,  dis- 
turbing public  worship,  and  certain  other  offences  against  decency 
and  morality.  The  fines  imposed  in  these  cases  went  to  them  for 
the  use  of  the  Parish,  and  are  sometimes  mentioned  in  the  annual 
statement,  though  usually  they  would  be  included  in  the  Wardens 
accounts  which  are  not  given  in  detail.  That  the  Church  Wardens 
of  Truro,  Cameron  and  Fairfax  Parishes  did  not  fail  in  this  duty 
of  presenting  offenders  is  abundantly  shown  in  records  of  the 
County  Court.  Presentments  were  usually  made  through  the  Grand 
Jury,  the  offender's  Parish  being  designated,  but  sometimes  the 
Church  Wardens  themselves  are  named  as  prosecutors. 

78 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  were  admitted  as  members  of  the  Vestry. 
They,  with  i\Ir.  Alex.  Henderson,  were  added  to 
those  heretofore  appointed  to  view  and  examine 
the  new  Church.  Peirce  Bayly,  Collector,  paid 
in  fifty  two  hogsheads.  52,024  lbs.  nett,  of  crop  to- 
bacco, and  four  transfer  notes,  gross  602  lbs.  It 
was  ordered  to  be  sold  in  five  lots,  and  the  sale  to 
be  advertised  in  George  Town,  Alexandria,  Dum- 
fries and  Colchester.  6  Pounds,  i8s.  and  8d. 
were  allowed  the  Collector  for  prizing  the  tobacco. 
"Whereas  it  appears  that  the  dimensions  of  the 
Altar-piece  mentioned  in  the  Articles  with  the  Un- 
dertaker for  building  the  new  Church,  are  not  ac- 
cording to  the  proportions  of  Architecture,  the 
Undertaker  is  authorized  and  desired  to  make  the 
same  according  to  the  true  proportions  of  the 
Ionic  Order  notwithstanding.  And  the  Vestry 
being  of  the  opinion  that  the  stone  coins  are  coarse 
grained  and  rather  too  soft  they  desire  the  same 
may  be  painted  with  white  lead  and  oyle,  which 
they  think  will  make  them  suf^cient.  The  Vestry 
are  also  of  opinion  that  the  rub'd  bricks  at  the  re- 
turn of  all  the  windows  ought  to  be  painted  as 
near  as  possible  the  same  colour  with  the  arches, 
and  the  Undertaker  is  desired  to  do  the  same  ac- 
cordingly." November  29th.  The  Lew  is  laid 
as  usual,  and  the  Collectors  and  Church  Wardens 
accounts  exhibited  and  approved.  Daniel  French 
seems  to  have  died  since  the  last  meeting,  as  pay- 

79 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

merits  are  ordered  made  to  his  executor.  It  is 
seen  later  that  his  executor  was  Col.  George 
Mason,  by  whom  Pohick  Church  was  completed. 
Rev.  Lee  Massey  agreed  to  accept  50  Pounds  in 
money  in  lieu  of  a  Glebe,  instead  of  the  former 
4,000  lbs.  of  tobacco.  The  same  Processioners  are 
appointed  as  four  years  before. 

1772.  June  5th.  The  Vestry  being  of  opinion 
that  it  would  be  both  ornamental  and  convenient 
to  have  the  stone  steps  at  the  front  door  of  the 
Church  with  three  flights  in  place  of  only  one  in 
front,  agreed  to  have  them  built  in  that  manner, 
paying  the  difference  in  cost.  The  Church  War- 
dens were  ordered  to  agree  with  workmen  to  have 
the  roof  painted.  Also  for  building  a  Vestry 
House  of  brick,  twenty  four  by  eighteen  feet,  nine 
feet  pitch,  plank  floor,  inside  chimney  and  three 
windows. 

''Ordered,  that  the  six  middle  pews  between  the 
cross  Isle  and  the  Communion  Table  be  sold  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Parish,  (one  pew  to  be  set  up  at 
a  time,)  to  the  highest  bidder  at  the  laying  of  the 
next  Parish  Levy,  at  six  months  credit,  and  that 
the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  conduct  the  said 
sale  and  take  proper  bonds  of  the  purchasers.  And 
at  the  same  time  that  the  other  six  pews  opposite 
them,  on  the  other  sides  of  the  long  Isles,  be  also 
sold  to  the  highest  bidder  in  like  manner,  or  so 
many  of  them  as  will  sell  for  the  average  price  at 
which  the  first  six  pews  shall  be  found  to  sell." 

80 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

"The  Church  Wardens  are  directed  to  agree 
with  persons  to  make  such  Carved  Ornaments  on 
the  Altar  piece  as  they  shall  judge  proper,  and 
guilding  the  letters  thereon  with  Gold  Leaf,  pre- 
sented to  this  Parish  by  the  Honble.  George  Wm 
Fairfax  and  George  Washington  Esqrs." 

1772.  November  20th.  Alexander  Henderson 
rendered  his  account,  showing  a  balance  of  460 
Pounds,  5s.  7d.  due  the  Parish.  He  is  ordered 
to  pay  the  Executors  of  Daniel  French  225 
Pounds,  13s.  4d.,  the  last  payment  on  the  Church, 
and  several  other  accounts  due.  Capt.  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  this  day  paid  330  Pounds,  part  of  his 
bond  for  the  Glebe  land;  whicli  was  lodged  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Henderson,  out  of  which  he  was  to 
pay  the  proportion  due  to  Fairfax  Parish  of  the 
money  for  which  the  Glebe  and  Church  plate  sold, 
upon  order  of  tlie  Church  Wardens  who  were  to 
settle  the  account  thereof  with  the  Vestry  of  Fair- 
fax Parish.  The  sum  remaining  unapplied  was  to 
be  left  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Henderson,  he  agree- 
ing to  pay  interest  on  150  Pounds  thereof.  The 
yard  of  the  Upper  Church  was  ordered  inclosed 
w^ith  posts  and  rails,  the  posts  to  be  split  or  sawed 
locust  and  the  rails  sawed.  Also  the  steps  and 
door  sills  to  be  repaired. 

"The  twelve  pews  ordered  to  be  sold  at  the 
meeting  of  the  last  Vestry  except  the  pew  No.  fif- 
teen, were  this  day  sold  according  to  the  said  or- 
der,  to   the   following  persons,    at   the   following 

81 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

prices,  Vizt.  No.  three  and  No.  four  adjoining  to 
the  south  wall  of  the  Church,  to  Col.  George 
Mason  at  the  price  of  fourteen  Pounds  eleven 
shillings  and  eight  pence  each,  being  the  average 
])rice  at  which  the  six  pews  first  set  up  between 
the  two  long  Isles  and  the  Cross  Isle  sold.  No. 
five  adjoining  the  south  wall  above  and  next  to 
front  door  to  Mr.  Thos.  Withers  Coffer,  at  the 
price  of  fourteen  Pounds,  thirteen  shillings.  No. 
thirteen  adjoining  the  north  wall,  to  Mr.  Martin 
Cockburn,  at  the  price  of  fifteen  Pounds,  ten  shill- 
ings. No.  fourteen  adjoining  to  the  north  wall 
and  next  above  the  Rector's  ])ew  to  Capt.  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  at  the  price  of  fifteen  Pounds,  ten  shill- 
ings. No.  twenty-one,  being  one  of  the  six  center 
pews  adjoining  the  south  Isle  next  to  the  Com- 
munion Table,  to  the  Honble.  George  William 
Fairfax  Esqr.  at  the  price  of  sixteen  pounds.  No. 
twenty  two  and  twenty  three,  two  of  the  center 
pews  adjoining  the  south  Isle,  to  Mr.  Alexander 
Henderson,  Vizt.  No.  twenty  two  at  the  price  of 
thirteen  pounds,  and  No.  twenty-three,  next  to 
the  Cross  Isle,  at  the  price  of  thirteen  pounds  ten 
shillings.  No.  twenty  eight,  one  of  the  Center 
])ews  adjoining  the  north  Isle  and  next  to  the 
Communion  Table,  to  Colo.  George  Washington 
at  the  price  of  sixteen  pounds.  No.  twenty  nine, 
one  of  the  Center  pews  adjoining  the  north  Isle, 
to  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  at  the  price  of  thirteen 
pounds  ten  shillings.     No.  thirty  one  of  the  Cen- 

82 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ter  pews,  adjoining  the  Center  Isle  and  next  the 
Cross  Isle,  to  Mr.  Harrison  Manley  at  the  price  of 
fifteen  pounds,  ten  shillings.  It  is  ordered  that  the 
Church  Wardens  take  the  bonds  for  the  use  of  the 
Parish,  for  the  above  mentioned  purchase  money, 
from  the  several  respective  purchasers,  according 
to  the  order  at  the  last  Vestry;  and  that  legal 
Deeds  for  the  said  Pews  be  made  and  executed 
by  the  Vestry  to  the  said  Purchasers  for  their 
Pews  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  V^estry;  the  said 
purchasers  preparing  Deeds  for  that  purpose." 

"Ordered,  that  the  Pew  No.  fifteen,  adjoining 
to  the  North  Wall  of  the  Church  and  next  above 
the  pulpit,  (which  was  one  of  the  twelve  pews  or- 
dered to  be  sold  at  the  last  Vestry,  but  is  not  sold,) 
be  reserved  for  the  Rector  of  this  Parish  for  the 
Time  being  and  his  Family,  and  is  hereby  vested 
in  the  Rector  of  the  Parish  and  his  successors  ac- 
cordingly." 

^17 Z-  JiJi^e  4th.  At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro 
Parish  at  the  new  Church  at  Pohick, — A  Trust 
Deed  for  the  pew  above  described,  to  the  Rev. 
Lee  ^lassey  "for  the  use  of  himself  and  his  Suc- 
cessors Rectors  of  this  Parish  forever,  was  this 
day  executed  by  all  the  iMembers  present,  pur- 
suant to  an  order  of  the  Vestry  made  the  20th. 
day  of  November  last." 

"It  appearing  to  the  Vestry  that  the  two  lower 
pews  between  the  two  AVest  doors  are  erected 
where  the  Font  ought  to  be.  it  is  ordered  that 

83 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

the  said  two  pews  be  taken  down  and  the  space 
left  open." 

''Upon  the  Motion  of  the  Honble.  George  Wil- 
Ham  Fairfax  Esqr.  and  Alexander  Henderson, 
Gent,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  other  pur- 
chasers of  the  six  upper  middle  pews  above  the 
Cross  Isle,  leave  is  granted  to  the  said  purchasers 
to  take  up  the  stones  in  the  Isles  and  to  raise  the 
said  six  pews  at  their  own  private  expence  to  the 
same  height  above  the  Isles  and  exactly  in  the 
same  manner  with  the  pews  next  to  the  Walls, 
they  making  good  any  Damage  that  may  happen 
in  doing  the  same;  and  it  is  also  ordered  that  the 
eight  middle  pews  below  the  Cross  Isles  be  raised 
in  the  same  manner  at  the  expence  of  the  Parish." 

"William  Copein  having  undertaken  to  make  a 
Stone  Font  for  the  Church  according  to  a  draught 
in  the  150th.  plate  in  Langleys  Designs  being  the 
uppermost  on  the  left  hand  for  the  price  of  six 
pounds  he  finding  himself  everything,  the  Vestry 
agree  to  pay  him  that  sum  for  finishing  the  same." 

November  22d.  The  parish  Levy  was  laid  and 
accounts  rendered.  Alex.  Henderson  has  218 
pounds,  thirteen  shillings  and  ten  pence  half  penny 
in  his  hands  belonging  to  the  Parish.  He  is  or- 
dered to  pay  William  Copein  seven  pounds,  five 
shillings  for  a  stone  Font  and  Step.  George 
Mason  and  Edward  Payne,  Gents,  appointed 
Church  Wardens. 

1 1 74.     February  15th.     "George  Mason,  Esqr. 

84 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Executor  of  Daniel  French  deed.  Undertaker  of 
the  Church  near  Pohick,  having  finished  the  said 
Church,  tender(ed)  the  same  to  this  Vestry  (con- 
sisting of  six  members  and  the  Rector  of  the  Par- 
ish, besides  the  said  George  Mason,)  and  the  said 
Vestry,  being  of  opinion  that  the  said  Church  is 
finished  according  to  agreement  do  receive  the 
same  as  far  as  they  have  authority  to  do  so,  the 
said  George  Mason  undertaking  to  finish  the 
Horse  Blocks  and  Benches  under  the  Trees,  which 
was  part  of  the  original  Agreement  of  the  Under- 
taker. The  said  George  Mason  having  produced 
his  account  against  the  Parish  for  extra  work 
about  the  Church,  the  settlement  of  the  same  is 
referred  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Vestry." 
There  were  present,  Lee  Massey,  R.  T.  P.;  G. 
Mason,  C.  W. ;  Go.  Washington,  Daniel  Mc.Carty, 
Alex.  Henderson,  Tz.  Ellzey,  Pet.  \\^agener,  Mar- 
tin Cockburn. 

"At  a  Vestry  held  for  Truro  Parish  at  the  new 
Church  near  Pohick,  February  the  24th.    1774. 

''The  receiving  of  the  new  Church  near  Pohick 
by  an  order  of  the  last  Vestry  is  confirmed,  and 
the  Executors  of  Mr.  Daniel  French  deceased  are 
discharged  from  their  Testators  Bond,  upon  fin- 
ishing the  Horse  Blocks  and  Benches  mentioned 
in  the  said  order. 

''George  Mason  Esqr.  Executor  of  Daniel 
French  deed,  having  exhibited  an  account  amount- 
ing to  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  pounds 

85 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

nineteen  shillings  and  ten  pence  halfpenny  Curr. 
Money,  for  sundrie  Alterations  in  the  said  Church 
and  other  work  done  thereto  not  inserted  in  the 
Undertakers  Articles;  the  said  account  being 
sworn  to  by  Going  Lamphier,  WilHam  Copein  and 
William  Bernard  Sears  was  examined  and  ap- 
proved; and  it  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Alexander  Hen- 
derson pay  him  (out  of  the  Parish's  money  in  his 
hands)  the  sum  of  Fifty  six  pounds  sixteen  shill- 
ings and  six  pence  halfpenny,  being  the  balance 
due  on  the  said  account,  after  deducting  the  sum 
of  twenty  nine  pounds  three  shiUings  and  four 
pence  for  the  price  of  two  Pews  in  the  said  Church 
purchased  by  the  said  George  Mason,  and  also 
thirty  one  pounds  paid  him  by  Capt.  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  and  Mr.  Martin  Cockburn  for  their 
Pews. 

'The  Trust  Deed  from  the  Vestry  to  the  Revd. 
Lee  Massey  for  a  Pew  in  the  new  Church  dated 
June  the  4th.  1773,  not  having  been  admitted  to 
Record  within  the  time  limited  by  Law,  the  same 
is  cancelled,  and  a  new  deed  executed  to  him  for 
the  same  Pew. 

''Deeds  were  this  day  executed  by  the  Vestry 
to  the  following  Persons  Vizt.  George  William 
Fairfax,  George  Mason  and  George  Washington 
Esqr.,  Messrs.  Daniel  Mc.Carty,  Alexander  Hen- 
derson, Martin  Cockburn,  William  Triplett,  and 
John  Manley  Heir  at  Law  of  Harrison  Manley 
deed.,  for  the   several   Pews  in  the  new  Church 

86 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

near  Pohic  bought  by  them  at  Pubhc  Auction  the 
twentieth  day  of  November  1772.  The  Pew  then 
bought  by  Mr.  Lund  Washington  being  after- 
wards sold  by  him  to  the  said  George  Washing- 
ton, &  the  Pew  then  bought  by  Air.  Thomas  With- 
ers Coffer  being  afterwards  sold  by  him  to  Mr. 
WiUiam  Triplett,  are  conveyed  by  the  Vestry  ac- 
cordingly.* 

"Ordered,  that  the  Upper  Pew  in  the  new 
Church  adjoining  the  South  Wall  be  appropriated 
to  the  Use  of  the  Magistrates  and  Strangers,  and 
the  Pew  opposite  thereto  to  the  use  of  their  Wives, 
and  the  two  Pews  next  below  them  to  be  appro- 
priated to  the  Vestrymen  and  Merchants  and  their 
\\^ives  in  like  manner.  And  it  is  further  ordered 
that  the  eight  Pews  below  and  adjoining  the  Cross 
Isle  of  the  Church  be  assigned  to  the  use  of  the 
most  respectable  Inhabitants  and  House  Keepers 
of  the  Parish,  the  Men  to  sit  in  the  four  pews  next 
the  South  Wall,  and  the  ^^'omen  in  the  other  four 
next  the  Xorth  \y:\]\. 

"The  Church  \\^ardens  having  failed  to  let  the 
building  of  a  Vestry  House  at  the  new  Church 
pursuant  to  a  former  order  of  this  Vestry,  and  the 
Vestry  being  now  of  opinion  that  it  will  be  to  the 
Advantage  of  the  Parish  to  let  the  inclosing  of  the 
Church  Yard  together  with  the  building  of  the 
said  Vestrv  House,   Ordered  that  the  Vestrv  be 


*A  copy  of  the  deed   for  the  pews  purchased   by  Washington  will 
be   found   in   the   Appendix. 


87 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

called  to  meet  on  Fryday  the  22d.  of  April  in  order 
to  let  the  building  the  said  Vestry  House  and  in- 
closing the  said  Church  Yard,  which  inclosure  is 
to  be  made  of  Brick  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet 
square  from  out  to  out,  three  feet  six  inches  high 
at  the  highest  Part  of  the  Ground,  two  Bricks 
thick,  to  go  one  foot  below  the  surface  and  to  be 
covered  with  Cypress  Shingles  and  Painted,  to 
have  three  Pier  Gates.  The  Church  Wardens  to 
advertise  the  above  meeting  in  the  Virginia  and 
Maryland  Gazette  after  the  usual  Form  upon  such 
Occasions. 

''Ordered  that  the  new  Church  near  Pohic  be 
furnished  with  a  Cushion  for  the  Pulpit  and  Cloths 
for  the  Desks  &  Communion  Table  of  Crimson 
Velvett  with  Gold  Fring,  and  that  Colo.  George 
Washington  be  requested  to  import  the  same,  as 
also  two  Folio  Prayer  Books  covered  with  blue 
Turkey  Leather  with  Name  of  the  Parish  there- 
on in  Gold  Letters,  the  Demensions  of  the  said 
Cushion  and  Cloths  being  left  to  W^m.  Bernard 
Sears  who  is  desired  to  furnish  Colo.  Washington 
with  proper  Patterns  at  the  Expense  of  the  Parish." 
"Lee  Massev,  R.  T.  P.  Alex.  Henderson 
G.  Mason,  C.  W.  T.  Ellzey 

Edwd.  Payne,  C.  A\\         Thos.  W.  Coffer 
G.  Washington  Thos,  Ford 

Daniel  Mc.Carty  Pet.  Wagencr 

]\Iartin  Cockburn. 

"Recorded  by  John  Barry,  Clk.  V." 

88 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

(The  above  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  Records  of 
this  meeting.)* 

The  Vestry  met  again  on  February  25th.  by  ad- 
journment from  yesterday. 

"Bonds  being  taken  yesterday  from  Colo. 
George  Washington  for  himself,  and  also  as  At- 
torney in  Fact  for  Colo.  George  William  Fairfax 
now  in  Brittain,  from  Mr.  Alexander  Henderson, 
Mr.  WilHam  Triplett,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Triplett 
Executor  of  Harrison  Manley  deed,  for  the  pur- 
chase Money  of  the  Pews  bought  by  them  in  the 
new  Church  near  Pohick,  the  same  Bonds  were 
delivered  to  Colo.  George  Mason  Church  Warden 
to  be  by  him  collected  and  accounted  for  at  the 
next  laying  the  Levy,  he  having  already  received 
of  Capt.  Daniel  Mc.Carty  and  Mr.  Martin  Cock- 
burn  the  Price  of  their  Pews  purchased  at  the 
same  time,  which  together  with  the  Price  of  his 
own  two  Pews  are  deducted  out  of  his  account 
settled  and  received  yesterday  by  the  Vestry." 
William  Bernard  Sears  was  paid  fifty  eight  pounds 


•This  was  Washington's  last  Vestry.  He  continued  a  nominal 
Vestryman  urtil  1782,  but  from  this  time  his  public  duties  took  him 
from  home,  frequently  at  first  and  afterwards  for  many  years  con- 
tinuously. Under  date  of  July  10,  1783,  he  writes  to  his  old  friend, 
Georg-e  William  Fairfax,  in  London:  "I  have  not  been  in  the  State 
(Virginia)  but  once  since  the  4th.  of  May,  1775.  and  that  was  at 
the  seige  of  York.  In  going  thither  I  spent  one  day  at  my  own 
l-.ouse,  and  in  returning  I  took  3  or  4,  without  attempting  to  transact 
a   particle   of   private   business." 

The  regularity  of  "Washington's  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Vestry  is  deserving  of  special  notice.  During  the  eleven  years  of 
his  active  service,  from  February,  1763.  to  February,  1774,  thirty- 
one  "Vestries"  were  held,  at  twenty-three  of  which  he  is  recorded 
as  being  present.  On  the  eight  occasions  when  he  was  absent,  as 
we  learn  from  his  Diary  or  other  sources,  once  he  was  sick  in  bed, 
twice  the  House  of  Burgesses,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  was  in 
session,  and  three  other  times  certainly,  and  on  the  two  remaining 
occasions  probably,  he  was  out  of  the  County. 


89 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

nineteen  shillings  for  carved  work  done  by  him  in 
the  new  Church.  William  Copein  was  paid  for 
extra  work  on  the  same  Church,  and  Francis  Cof- 
fer for  railing  the  yard  and  making  stone  steps  at 
the  upper  Church,  and  Gowan  Langfier  and  Wm. 
Copein  for  their  trouble  and  attendance  in  meas- 
uring the  carved  work  on  the  Altar  piece  and  Pul- 
pit, the  former  thirty,  the  latter  ten,  shillings. 

''Ordered  that  William  Bernard  Sears  gild  the 
Ornaments  within  the  Tabernacle  Frames,  the 
Palm  Branch  and  Drapery  on  the  front  of  the 
Pulpit,  (also  the  Eggs  on  the  Cornice  of  the  small 
Frames  if  the  Gold  will  hold  out,)  which  he  agreed 
to  do  for  three  pounds  ready  money,  to  be  done 
with  the  Gold  Leaf  given  to  the  Parish  by  Colo. 
George  Washington." 

"The  Vestry  having  reconsidered  their  order  of 
yesterday  directing  the  Church  Yard  to  be  in- 
closed with  Brick.  And  considering  that  the  ex- 
pence  thereof  will  be  too  burthensome  to  the  Par- 
ish at  this  time  having  just  finished  two  expensive 
Churches,  and  a  Glebe  not  yet  purchased,  have 
changed  their  opinions,  and  do  accordingly  order 
that  (instead  of  a  Brick  Wall)  the  said  Church 
Yard  be  inclosed  with  a  Post  and  Rail  Fence  in 
the  following  manner,  to  wit,  Avith  sawed  Cedar 
Posts  to  go  two  feet  and  a  half  in  the  ground,  to 
be  first  burnt,  sawed  Yellow  Pine  Rails  clear  of 
sap,  five  feet  high  from  the  surface  to  the  top  rail, 
Posts  eight  feet  asunder,   the  whole   to   be   well 

90 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

payed  with  turpentine  and  red  paint,  with  three 
PaHsadoed  Gates  painted  a  Stone  Colour  with 
Locks." 

The  roof  and  fence  at  the  Upper  Church  were 
ordered  painted. 

Capt.  Edward  Payne  resigned  as  Vestryman, 
and  Mr.  Thomas  Pollard  was  chosen  in  his  stead. 

1774.  November  24th.  The  Parish  Levy  is 
laid,  and  accounts  audited.  George  Washington 
Esqr.  and  Thomas  Pollard  Gent,  are  appointed 
Church  AA'ardens  for  the  next  year.  Alex.  Hen- 
derson pays  over  to  j\Ir.  Pollard  all  money  in  his 
hands  and  is  fully  discharged  of  all  accounts,  and 
Col.  Mason  delivers  to  Mr.  Pollard  Col.  George 
Washington's  Bonds  for  his  own  pew  and  that  of 
Col.  Fairfax.  Mr.  Peter  Wagener  was  chosen  a 
Vestryman  in  the  room  of  Major  Peter  Wagener, 
deceased. 

1775.  November  3d.  The  Levy  shows  1363 
tithables,  as  against  962  ten  years  before  just  after 
the  division.  This  indicates  the  growth  of  the 
population.  Col.  Daniel  Mc.Carty  and  Capt.  Mar- 
tin Cockburn  were  ordered  to  "take  into  their 
possession  the  books  belonging  to  the  Parish 
lately  kept  by  John  Barry,  deed."  The  Revd.  Lee 
Massey  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Vestry.  Mr. 
Mason,  Col.  Mc.Carty,  Capt.  Cockburn,  Capt.  Pol- 
lard, Rev.  Mr.  Massey  and  Mr.  Henderson  were 
appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the  employment  of 

91 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

and  providing  for  the  poor  of  the  Parish,  and  re- 
port to  the  next  Vestry. 

1776.  May  6th.  At  the  laying  of  the  last  Levy 
no  Collector  had  been  appointed,  perhaps  because 
none  offered.  On  this  day  the  Collection  was  let 
to  the  lowest  bidder,  agreeable  to  notice  given, 
and  was  undertaken  by  William  Bayly  at  nine  per 
Cent.  The  regular  price  heretofore  had  been  six 
per  Cent.  The  Levy  was  very  small,  only  twenty 
pounds  per  Poll. 

1776.  November  226..  Mr.  Peter  Wagener 
and  Mr.  Thomazen  Ellzey  appointed  Church  War- 
dens, and  ordered  to  receive  from  former  Wardens 
all  balances  due  the  Parish,  including  General 
George  Washington's  Bond  and  that  of  Col. 
George  William  Fairfax  for  which  the  General  is 
liable,  and  to  pay  the  several  sums  due  the  Parish 
Claimants  charged  this  day,  amounting  to  119 
pounds  six  shillings  and  four  pence.  William 
Triplett,  Edward  Ford  and  Francis  Coffer  were 
elected  Vestrymen  in  the  room  of  George  WiUiam 
Fairfax  Esqr.  removed,  Thomas  Ford  deceased, 
and  William  Gardner  removed.  The  Church  War- 
dens with  Col.  Mason  and  Capt.  Cockburn,  or  any 
three  of  them,  were  appointed  to  look  out  for  a 
tract  of  land  suitable  for  a  Glebe,  and  in  case  they 
succeeded  were  to  report  to  a  Vestry  to  be  called 
for  the  purpose.  The  Levy  was  30  pounds  per 
Poll,  on   1337  tithables.     On  the  following  April 

92 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

William  Payne  the  eldest  undertook  the  collection 
at  8  per  Cent.* 

1777.  October  2d.  Deeds  of  Lease  and  Release 
from  the  Vestry  to  Col.  Daniel  Mc.Carty  for  the 
old  Glebe  were  acknowledged  by  the  Vestry,  and 
the  Church  Wardens  ordered  to  receive  from  Col. 
Mc.Carty  the  balance  of  the  purchase  money  due. 
''Ordered,  that  the  Church  Wardens  send  Sarah 
Shelton  (a  poor  child)  to  Dr.  James  of  St.  Mary's 
County  Maryland  and  employ  him  to  cure  her  of 
her  present  Disorders." 

1777.  November  27th.  ''William  Triplett  and 
Francis  Cofifer  Gent,  are  appointed  Church  War- 
dens or  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  ensuing 
year."  The  Rev.  Lee  Massey  resigned  his  office 
as  Clerk  of  the  Vestry,  and  Francis  Adams  was 


*A  special  interest  attaches  to  this  levy  because  it  was  the  last 
that  was  ever  laid  for  the  support  of  the  old  Colonial  Church  or 
the  maintenance  of  religion  in  the  Parish,  such  levies  being  from 
this  time  suspended  by  Act  of  Assembly  and  afterward  abolished 
entirely.  The  support  of  the  Clergy  was  left  to  be  provided  for 
by   voluntary   contributions. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  effort  being  made  for  the  future  sup- 
port of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Massey  as  Minister  of  this  Parish.  The  dis- 
turbed condition  of  the  times  during  the  Revolution,  and  the  ab- 
sence of  many  leading  men,  may  have  prevented.  Or  more  probably 
Mr.  Massey  wished  to  retire,  for  his  Grandson,  Col.  J.  T.  Stoddert, 
of  Maryland,  wrote  Bishop  Meade  that  impaired  speech  was  the 
cause  of  his  ceasing  to  preach.  After  this  he  received  for  one  year 
500  pounds  of  tobacco  as  Clerk  of  the  Vestry,  and  then  his  name 
disappears  from  the  Records.  We  are  told  that  he  afterwards  stud- 
i>.-d  medicine  and  practised  freely  among  the  poor.  He  had  been 
a  practising-  lawyer  before  his  ordination  to  the  ministry,  so  it 
would  seem  that  he  followed  successively  what  were  known  as  the 
three  learned  professions  of  Law,  Divinity  and  Medicine.  He  con- 
tinued to  live  at  "Bradley,"  his  plantation  on  the  Occoquan,  until 
his  death  in  181-1  at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  A  simple  stone  still 
marks    his    grave. 

From  this  time  forward  the  Records  of  the  Vestry  show  their 
business  to  have  been  confined  to  the  care  of  the  poor,  for  which 
purpose  levies  of  tobacco  were  still  authorized.  "Overseers  of  the 
Poor"  became  an  alternate  designation  for  the  Church  Wardens. 

93 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

appointed  in  his  stead.     Tithables  13 16.     Levy  15 
lbs.  per  Poll. 

1778.  No  Levy  was  laid  this  year,  as  the  Vestry 
found  funds  sufficient  in  their  hands  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  poor  for  the  ensuing  year. 

1779.  December  8th.  Martin  Cockburn  Gent, 
having  resigned  his  offi-ce  as  Vestryman  Daniel 
Mc.Carty  junior  was  elected  in  his  stead,  and  Ed- 
ward \\'ashington  junior  was  elected  in  place  of 
Edward  Ford  who  refused  to  serve.  Tithables 
1350.     Levy  12  lbs.  per  Poll. 

In  1780  no  Vestry  was  held.  November  27th, 
1 78 1,  a  Levy  was  laid  of  10  lbs.  per  Poll,  on  1442 
Tithables.  Daniel  Mc.Carty  and  Thomazen  Ell- 
zey  were  appointed  Church  \\'ardens  or  Overseers 
of  the  Poor.  AMlliam  Deneale  and  Cleon  Moore 
were  elected  Vestrymen  in  the  room  of  Thomas 
Withers  Coffer  deceased  and  Daniel  Mc.Carty 
junior  who  refused  to  act. 

1782.  November  22d.  The  Vestry  met,  and 
Daniel  McCarty  exhibited  an  account  on  oath 
against  the  Parish  which  showed  it  indebted  to  him 
in  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds  eight  shillings  paper 
money,  which  was  ordered  to  be  certified.  Vestry 
adjourned  until  the  24th,  but  that  meeting  was 
not  held. 

1784.  23d  February.  The  Vestry  met  at  Col- 
chester. "The  Vestry  of  this  Parish  having  ap- 
pointed meetings  at  different  times  for  two  years 
last  past,  and  not  a  majority  of  the  said  Vestry 

94 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

meeting  to  proceed  to  business;  It  is  now  agreed 
upon  and  ordered  that  those  of  the  Vestry  who 
have  resigned  or  removed  others  be  chosen  in 
their  stead." 

''John  Gibson,  Gent,  is  elected  a  Vestryman  for 
this  Parish  in  the  room  of  His  Excellency  General 
Washington,  who  has  signified  his  resignation  in 
a  letter  to  Daniel  Mc.Carty,  Gent." 

James  Waugh  was  elected  in  the  room  of 
Thomas  Pollard,  removed.  Francis  Cofifer  was 
desired  to  let  the  Vestry  know  at  their  next  meet- 
ing whether  he  would  continue  to  serve  or  not. 

Peter  Wagener  and  William  Deneale  were  ap- 
pointed Church  Wardens  or  Overseers  of  the 
Poor.  A  Levy  was  laid,  which  included  10,000 
lbs.  of  tobacco  for  the  temporary  support  of  such 
of  the  poor  as  are  at  present  unknown,  to  be  laid 
out  by  the  Church  Wardens  at  their  discretion. 
This  they  considered  ''absolutely  necessary  on  ac- 
count of  the  severity  of  the  winter  and  scarcity  of 
corn." 

Lund  Washington  was  elected  a  Vestryman  the 
room    of     Daniel    Mc.Carty    who    now    resigned. 
Present  at  this  meeting: 
Pet.  Wagener.  C.  W.        Alex.  Henderson. 
W.  Deneale,  C.  W.  Wm.  Triplett. 

G.  Mason.  Edward  Washington. 

Daniel  Mc.Carty.  Cleon  Moore.* 


♦This  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  which  saw  the  formal  resignation 
of  George  Washington,  was  the  last  that  was  attended  by  three  of 
his    friends   and    old    fellow-Vestrymen,    George    Mason,    Daniel    Mc- 


95 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

The  last  meeting  of  the  Vestry  under  the  old 
Regime  was  held  at  Colchester,  January  27th, 
1785.  Like  the  preceding  it  was  occupied  solely 
in  providing  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  and  es- 
pecially for  twelve  families  who  are  named.  The 
old  Colonial  Church,  which  had  been  staggering 
for  years  under  blows  inflicted  by  successive  Gen- 
eral Assemblies  was  now  in  the  article  of  death. 
The  leading  men  who,  in  the  face  of  popular 
odium,  stood  by  and  attended  it  in  its  last  hours, 
must  have  believed  that  when  released  from  the 
coil  of  the  State  it  w^ould  rise  from  the  dust  and 
put  on  more  beautiful  garments. 

The  new  (Christ)  Church  in  Alexandria  had 
been  finished  about  the  same  time  with  the  new 
Pohick  Church.  Washington  bought  a  pew  in 
Christ  Church  on  the  day  that  the  Church  was 
turned  over  to  the  Vestry  by  the  builders.  He 
gave  for  Pew  number  5,  thirty  six  pounds,  ten 
shillings.  That  pew  has  become  historical.  It 
was  afterwards  occupied  by  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee, 
and  there  are  tablets  on  the  walls  of  the  Church 
in  memory  of  these  two  heroic  characters  and  de- 
vout Christians.  This  historic  pew  attracts  every 
week  streams  of  pilgrims  to  Christ  Church.* 

Carty  and  Alexander  Henderson.  Col.  Mason  and  Capt.  Mc.Carty 
were  his  seniors  in  point  of  service,  having  served  continuously  since 
1749,  a  period  of  thirty-five  years.  Mr.  Henderson  was  first  elected 
on  the  new  Vestry  in  1765.  The  fifth  and  only  remaining-  member 
of  that  Vestry,  Mr.  Thomazen  Ellzey,  was  present  at  its  last  meet- 
ing two  months  later,  and  afterward  continued  to  serve  as  an  Over- 
seer of  the  Poor. 

•The  pew  which  General  Robert  E.  Lee  rented  and  regularly 
occupied  when  at  Arlington  was  across  the  aisle  from  Washington's 
pew. 

96 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Washington  did  not  leave  Pohick  for  Christ 
Church  until  after  the  Revolution,  when  services 
at  the  former  became  few  and  far  between.  April, 
1785,  seems  to  mark  the  date  of  his  habitual  at- 
tendance at  Christ  Church.  On  the  25th  of  that 
month  he  bound  himself  by  a  paper  of  record  in 
the  Vestry  Book,  signed  in  his  well  known  hand- 
writing, to  pay  an  annual  rent  upon  his  pew.  The 
structure  of  this  bond  indicates  that  it  was  Wash- 
ington's composition.  The  following  is  a  copy 
of  it  from  the  record : 

"We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  agree  that  the 
pews  Ave  now  hold  in  the  Episcopal  Church  at 
Alexandria  shall  be  forever  charged  with  an  an- 


on   a   fly   leaf    of   "Washington's   diary    for    January,    1773,  is   the 
following-  memorandum: 

"Sale  of  the  pews  in  Alexandria  Church — to  whom — &ca. 

Nos.  Purchasers  Price 

4  Mr.    Townsd.    Dade    L  28 

5  Colo.    G.    Washington    36.10 

13  Mr.    Robt.    Adam    30 

14  Mr.    Robt.    Alexander    30.10 

1 5  Mr.   Dalton    20 

18  Mr.    Thos.   Fleming    21.5 

19  Col.    Carlyle    30 

20  Mr.    Wm.    Ramsey     33 

28  Messrs.   Jno.    Muir  &ca 36.5 

29  Mr.    Jno.    "West    Junr 33 


L,  298.10 
Average  price  29.17." 

For  some  reason  the  Vestry  of  Fairfax  Parish  proposed  to  set 
aside  the  sale  of  these  pews.  Washington  was  informed  by  Capt. 
John  Dalton  when  the  meeting  was  to  be  held  to  determine  the 
matter,  and  was  invited  to  be  present.  In  his  letter  to  Capt.  Dal- 
ton, dated  15th.  February,  1773,  he  says:  "I  am  obliged  to  you  for 
the  notice  you  have  given  me  of  an  intended  meeting  of  your  Ves- 
try on  Tuesday  next."  He  explains  why  he  would  not  come  to  make 
his  protest  in  person,  and  adds:  "The  right  of  reclaiming  the  pews 
by  the  Vestry  in  behalf  of  the  Parish  I  most  clearly  deny.  As  a 
parishioner  I  protest  against  the  measure.  As  a  subscriber  who 
meant  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  family  pew  I  shall  think  myself 
injured:"    etc..    etc. 

Washington  was  a  "parishioner"  of  this  parish  by  rirtue  of  be- 
mg  a  freeholder  and  tithe-payer  therein.  His  protest  seems  to 
have  had  the  desired  effect,  as  he  remained  in  possession  of  his  pew. 


97 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

nual  rent  of  five  pounds,  Virginia  money,  each; 
and  we  hereby  promise  to  pay  (each  for  himself 
promising  to  pay)  annually,  forever,  to  the  Min- 
ister and  Vestry  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  Fairfax  Parish,  or,  if  the  Parish  should 
be  divided,  to  the  Minister  and  Vestry  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church  in  Alexandria,  the  said 
sum  of  five  pounds  for  each  pew  for  the  purpose 
of  supporting  the  Minister  in  the  said  Church. 
Provided  neverthelsss  that  if  any  law  of  this  Com- 
monwealth should  hereafter  compel  us,  our  heirs, 
executors  and  administrators  or  assigns,  to  pay 
to  the  support  of  Religion,  the  pew-rent  hereby 
granted  shall,  in  that  case,  be  considered  as  part 
of  what  we,  by  such  law,  be  required  to  pay. 

Provided  also  that  each  of  us  pay  only  in  pro- 
portion to  the  part  we  hold  of  the  said  pews. 

For  the  performance  of  which  payments,  well 
and  truly  to  be  made  forever  annually,  within  six 
months  after  demanded,  we  hereby  bind  ourselves 
(each  for  himself  separately)  our  heirs,  executors, 
administrators  and  assigns,  firmly  by  these  pres- 
ents. In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set 
our  hands  and  seals  this  25th  day  of  April  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1785. 

Witness  present  at  signing  and  sealing. 
David  Griffith  at 
signing  and  sealing  for    (Seal)  Philip  Alexander. 
G.  Washington,  W.  Bird  Robert  Adams. 

T.  Herbert  &  P.  Alexander.  M.   Madden. 

98 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Giles  Cooke  for  T.  West. 
Barr  Powell  for  A\'.   Herbert. 

Geo.  Washington  (Seal) 
Gr.  Chapman  for  R.  Adams. 

W.  Bird  (Seal) 
Robt.  Macgill  for  M.  Madden. 

Thos.  Herbert  (Seal) 

Thomas  West  (Seal) 

W.  Herbert  (Seal) 
And  yet  W^ashington  occasionally  attended  Po- 
hick  Church  when  it  was  open  for  Divine  Service, 
as  the  following  item  from  his  Diary  proves : 

"Oct.  2d.  1785.  Sunday.  Went  with  Fanny 
Bassett,  Burwell  Bassett,  Dr.  Stuart,  George  A. 
Washington,  Mr.  Shaw  and  Nelly  Custis  to  Po- 
hick  Church  to  hear  a  Mr.  Thompson  preach  who 
returned  home  with  us  to  dinner,  where  I  found 
Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  formerly  a  Chaplain  in  a  Pa.  Reg- 
iment. After  we  were  in  bed  about  eleven  o'clock 
at  night,  Mr.  Houdon  (sent  from  Paris  by  Mr. 
Jefferson  and  Dr.  FrankHn  to  take  my  Bust,  in 
behalf  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  wath  three  young 
men,  assistants,  introduced  by  Mr.  Perin  a  French 
gentleman  of  Alexandria)  arrived  here  by  w^ater 
from  the  latter  place.  3d.  October.  The  two  Rev- 
erend gentlemen  who  dined  and  lodged  here  wxnt 
away  after  breakfast."  This  is  an  illustration  of 
the  truth  of  the  statement  of  his  Pastor,  Rev.  Lee 
Massey,  that  Washington  never  allowed  company 
at  Mount  Vernon  to  keep  him  from  Church,  and 

99 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

that  he  was  the  most  punctual  and  constant  at- 
tendant at  Divine  Service  he  had  ever  known. 
Mrs.  Lewis,  (Nelly  Custis,)  bears  a  like  testimony 
as  to  his  habit  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  As 
to  the  time  of  which  w^e  are  now  speaking  she 
says:  "General  Washington  had  a  pew  in  Pohick 
Church  and  one  in  Christ  Church,  Alexandria. 
He  attended  the  Church  at  Alexandria  when  the 
weather  and  roads  permitted  a  ride  of  ten  miles." 
We  have  reached  the  dark  age  of  Truro  Parish. 
There  are  no  records  to  guide  us,  and  we  have 
to  avail  ourselves  of  such  side-lights  as  come  from 
other  sources.  It  is  not  known  definitely  when 
Mr.  Massey's  official  relations  with  the  Parish 
ceased.  Tradition  says  he  was  followed  by  a  Mr. 
Kemp  and  a  Mr.  Moscrope,  who  did  not  walk 
worthy  of  their  high  vocation  in  several  respects. 
Whether  they  had  any  official  connection  with 
the  Parish,  or  were  merely  ''temporary  supplies," 
is  not  known.*  Towards  the  close  of  the  century, 
some  say  in  1798,  the  eccentric  Mason  L.  Weems 
appears  upon  the  scene.  There  is  no  proof  of  his 
precise  relations  to  the  Parish.  In  his  popular  Life 
of  Washington  he  calls  himself  "Late  Rector  of 
Mount  Vernon  Parish,"  as  if  he  did  not  know  its 
name.  It  is  certain  however  that  he  was  officiating 
there  about  the  beginning  of  this  century.     Mr. 


♦Bishop  Meade,  from  whom  this  tradition  was  drawn,  had  heard 
that  these  Ministers  "Occasionally  officiated  at  Dumfries,  Pohick, 
and  perhaps  at  Centerville,'"  (doubtless  a  slip  of  the  pen  for 
Brentsville).  I  do  not  find  their  names  in  any  lists  of  the  Clergy 
of   that    period. 

100 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PxVRISH 

Davis,  a  teacher  in  that  section,  pubhshed  a  work 
dedicated  to  Jefferson,  and  entitled,  ''Four  and  a 
Half  Years  in  America."  In  it  he  says:  ''About 
eight  miles  from  Occoquan  Mills  is  a  place  of 
worship  called  Poheek  (sic)  Church.  Thither  I 
rode  on  Sunday  and  joined  the  congregation  of 
Parson  Weems,  a  Minister  of  the  Episcopal  per- 
suasion, who  was  cheerful  in  his  mein  that  he 
might  win  men  to  rehgion.  A  Virginian  Church- 
yard on  Sunday  resembles  rather  a  race-course 
than  a  sepulchral  ground.  The  ladies  come  to  it 
in  carriages  and  the  men  make  their  horses  fast 
to  the  trees.  But  the  steeples  of  the  Virginian 
Churches  are  designed  not  for  utility  but  for  or- 
nament, for  the  bell  is  suspended  from  a  tree.f  It 
is  also  observable  that  the  gate  to  the  Churchyard 
is  ever  carefully  locked  by  the  Sexton,  who  retires 
last.  I  was  confounded  on  first  ,  entering  the 
Churchyard  at  Poheek  to  hear  "Steed  threaten 
Steed  with  high  and  boastful  neigh."  Nor  was  I 
less  stunned  with  the  rattling  of  carriage-wheels, 
the  cracking  of  whips  and  the  vociferations  of  the 
gentlemen  to  the  Negroes  who  accompanied  them. 
But  the  discourse  of  Parson  Weems  calmed  every 
perturbation,  for  he  preached  the  great  doctrines 
of  Salvation  as  one  who  had  experienced  their 
power.  In  his  youth  Mr.  Weems  had  accompanied 
some  young  Americans  to  London  where  he  pre- 
pared himself  by  dilligent  study  for  the  profession 

fit  is  hard  to  determine  what  could  have  suggested  this  remark, 
as  Pohick  Church  had  neither  bell  nor  steeple. 

101 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  the  Church.  Of  the  congregation  about  one 
half  was  composed  of  white  people  and  the  other 
of  negroes.  Among  many  of  the  negroes  were  to 
be  discovered  the  most  gratifying  evidences  of 
sincere  piet}^,  an  artless  simplicity,  passionate  as- 
pirations after  Christ  and  an  earnest  endeavour  to 
do  the  will  of  God." 

The  light  thus  thrown  by  Mr.  Davis  upon  Po- 
hick  Church  for  one  Sunday  reveals  a  very  ani- 
mated and  picturesque  scene,  and  one  by  no  means 
discreditable  to  Mr.  Weems.  This  single  glimpse 
into  the  darkness  which  shrouded  Truro  Parish 
is  the  only  authentic  tidings  we  have  of  it  until 
1812,  when  the  Rev.  Charles  O'Neill  is  in  charge. 
We  first  meet  Mr.  O'Neill  in  St.  Thomas'  Parish, 
Orange  County,  where  he  officiated  and  taught 
school  in  1797- 1800.  He  was  one  of  the  old-time 
schoolmasters,  (as  we  have  seen  in  our  History  of 
St.  Mark's  Parish,)  who  believed  in  what  Hudibras 
called  "Apostolic  blows  and  knocks"  more  than 
he  did  in  the  Apostolic  Succession.  His  whipping 
post  was  the  back  of  a  negro  man,  on  which  the 
bad  boy  w^as  suspended  and  flaggellated  with  hick- 
ory switches.  He  taught  at  Col.  Taliaferro's,  near 
Pine  Stake  Church,  and  also  in  Bromfield  Parish, 
Madison  County.  Judge  P.  P.  Barbour,  of  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  and  the  Hon.  Jeremiah  Mor- 
ton and  Dr.  George  Morton  were  his  pupils,  and 
retained  a  lively  impression  of  his  discipline.  He 
also  preached  and  taught  school  in  Hamilton  Par- 

102 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ish,  Fauquier  County,  and  represented  it  in  Con- 
vention in  1805.  He  was  likewise  in  Dettingen 
Parish,  Prince  William  County.  The  date  of  his 
incumbency  in  Truro  Parish  was  the  time  of 
Bishop  Meade's  effective  ministry  at  Christ 
Church,  Alexandria.  The  family  at  Mount  Ver- 
non were  attendants  at  Christ  Church  at  this  time, 
and  some  of  them  were  among  the  first  fruits  of 
his  ministry  there.  Mr.  Meade  was  consequently 
intimate  at  Mount  Vernon,  and  tells  an  amusing 
anecdote  of  Mr.  O'Neill.  He  says:  ''The  family 
at  Mt.  Vernon  and  at  Rippon  Lodge  (the  Black- 
burns)  were  fond  of  him.  He,  (O'Neill,)  always 
spent  his  Christmas  at  Mt.  Vernon,  and  on  those 
occasions  was  dressed  in  a  full  suit  of  velvet,  which 
Gen.  Washington  had  left  behind,  and  which  had 
been  given  to  Mr.  O'Neill.  But  as  General  Wash- 
ington was  tall  and  well  proportioned  in  all  his 
parts,  and  Mr.  O'Neill  was  peculiarly  formed,  be- 
ing of  uncommon  length  of  body  and  brevity  of 
legs,  it  was  difhcult  to  make  the  clothes  of  the  one, 
even  though  altered,  sit  well  on  the  other."  (Mr. 
O'Neill  died,  it  is  thought,  in  1813.) 

Judge  Bushrod  Washington,  (the  son  of  John 
A.  and  nephew^  of  General  Washington,)  who  in- 
herited Mt.  Vernon,  was  now  living  there.  He 
was  a  devout  Communicant  of  the  Church,  and  at- 
tended Divine  Service  in  Christ  Church,  Alexan- 
dria, which  he  represented  repeatedly  in  conven- 
tion.   He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Standing  Com- 

103 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

mittee  to  the  end  of  his  Hfe.  He  married  Jane, 
daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Blackburn,  of  Rippon 
Lodge,  Prince  William  County,  which  was  a  cen- 
ter of  Episcopal  influence.  Two  of  the  Misses 
Blackburn,  Jane  and  Polly,  married  nephews  of 
General  Washington  and  lived  in  Jefferson  Coun- 
ty, and  one,  Judy,  married  Gustavus  Alexander. 
The  first  Richard  Blackburn  married  a  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  James  Scott,  of  Overwharton  Parish. 

In  his  Convention  Address  in  1838  Bishop 
Meade  thus  describes  a  visitation  made  to  Pohick 
Church,  and  its  condition,  in  the  preceding  sum- 
mer: 

*'My  next  visit  was  to  Pohick  Church,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Mt.  Vernon,  the  seat  of  General  Wash- 
ington. It  was  still  raining  when  I  approached 
the  house,  and  found  no  one  there.  The  wide- 
open  doors  invited  me  to  enter, — as  they  do  in- 
vite, day  and  night  through  the  year,  not  only  the 
passing  traveller,  but  every  beast  of  the  field  and 
fowl  of  the  air.  These  latter  however  seeemed  to 
have  reverenced  the  house  of  God,  since  few  marks 
of  their  pollution  were  to  be  seen  throughout  it. 
The  interior  of  the  house,  having  been  well  built, 
is  still  good.  The  chancel,  Communion  table  and 
tables  of  the  law  &c.  are  still  there  and  in  good  or- 
der. The  roof  only  is  decaying;  and  at  the  time 
I  was  there  the  rain  was  dropping  on  these  sacred 
places  and  on  other  parts  of  the  house.  On  the 
doors  of  the  pews,  in  gilt  letters,  are  still  to  be 

104 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

seen  the  names  of  the  principal  Families  which 
once  occupied  them.  How  could  I,  while  for  at 
least  an  hour  traversing  those  long  aisles,  ascend- 
ing the  lofty  pulpit,  entering  the  sacred  chancel, 
forbear  to  ask,  And  is  this  the  House  of  God 
which  was  built  by  the  Washingtons,  the  Mc.Car- 
tys,  the  Lewises,  the  Fairfaxes? — the  house  in 
which  they  used  to  worship  the  God  of  our  fathers 
according  to  the  venerable  forms  of  the  Episcopal 
Church, — and  some  of  whose  names  are  still  to  be 
seen  on  the  doors  of  those  now  deserted  pews? 
Is  this  also  destined  to  moulder  piecemeal  away, 
or,  when  some  signal  is  given,  to  become  the  prey 
of  spoilers,  and  to  be  carried  hither  and  thither  and 
applied  to  every  purpose  under  heaven? 

''Surely  patriotism,  or  reverence  for  the  greatest 
of  patriots,  if  not  religion,  might  be  effectually 
appealed  to  in  behalf  of  this  one  temple  of  God. 
The  particular  location  of  it  is  to  be  ascribed  to 
Washington,  who,  being  an  active  member  of  the 
Vestry  when  it  was  under  consideration  and  in 
dispute  where  it  should  be  placed,  carefully  sur- 
veyed the  whole  parish,  and,  drawing  with  his 
own  hand  an  accurate  and  handsome  map  of  it, 
showed  clearly  where  the  claims  of  justice  and  the 
interests  of  religion  required  its  erection. 

'Tt  was  to  this  Church  that  Washington  for  some 
years  regularly  repaired,  at  a  distance  of  six  or 
seven  miles,  never  permitting  any  company  to  pre- 
vent the  regular  observance  of  the  Lord's  day. 

105 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

And  shall  it  now  be  permitted  to  sink  into  ruin  for 
want  of  a  few  hundred  dollars  to  arrest  the  decay 
already  begun?  The  families  that  once  wor- 
shipped there  are  indeed  nearly  all  gone,  and  those 
who  remain  are  not  competent  to  its  complete 
repair.  But  there  are  immortal  beings  all  around 
it,  and  not  far  distant  from  it,  who  might  be  for- 
ever blessed  by  the  word  faithfully  preached  there- 
in. The  poor  shall  never  cease  out  of  any  land, 
and  to  them  the  gospel  ought  to  be  preached. 

''For  some  years  past  one  of  the  students  in  our 
Theological  Seminary  has  acted  as  lay  reader  in 
it,  and  occasionally  a  professor  has  added  his  ser- 
vices. Within  the  last  year  the  Rev.  Mr.  John- 
son, residing  in  the  neighbourhood,  has  performed 
more  frequent  duties  there. 

''On  the  day  following  I  preached  to  a  very  con- 
siderable congregation  in  this  old  church,  one 
third  of  which  was  made  up  of  coloured  persons. 
The  sacrament  was  then  administered  to  twenty 
persons." 

Some  years  later  the  Bishop  wrote :  'T  am  happy 
to  say  that  this  report  led  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson 
to  its  use,  in  a  circular,  by  means  of  which  he 
raised  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  with  which  a  new 
roof  and  ceiling  and  other  repairs  were  put  on  it, 
by  which  it  has  been  preserved  from  decay  and 
fitted  for  such  occasional  services  as  are  performed 
there.  A  friend,  who  has  recently  visited  it,  in- 
forms me  that  many  of  the  doors  of  the  pews  are 

io6 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

gone.  Those  of  George  Washington  and  George 
Mason  are  not  to  be  found, — perhaps  borne  away 
as  relics.  Those  of  George  WilHam  Fairfax,  Mar- 
tin Cockburn,  Daniel  Mc.Carty,  William  Payne, 
(read  Triplett,)  and  the  rector's,  are  still  standing 
and  their  names  legible." 


lo: 


Alexander  Henderson 

This  gentleman  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Robert 
Henderson,  Minister  of  Blantyre  in  Scotland.  He 
came  to  Virginia  in  1756,  and  settled  as  a  mer- 
chant in  Colchester,  in  Truro  Parish.  He  married 
Miss  Sallie  Moore  of  Maryland.  His  son.  General 
Henderson,  says  that  during  the  Revolution  he  re- 
tired to  a  farm  in  Fairfax  County  for  fear  of  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  the  English,  as  he  had  taken 
a  very  decided  part  against  the  mother-country. 
He,  General  Washington  and  George  Mason, 
were  commissioners  on  the  part  of  Virginia  who 
met  with  the  Maryland  commissioners.  Stone, 
Chase  and  Jenifer,  at  Mount  Vernon  on  the  28th 
of  March,  1785,  made  the  compact  as  to  the  navi- 
gation and  exercise  of  jurisdiction  in  the  waters  of 
Chesapeake  Bay  and  Pocomoke.  Col.  Henderson 
represented  Prince  William  County  in  the  General 
Assembly  in  1798,  having  in  the  meantime  moved 
to  Dumfries,  which  had  long  been  one  of  the  chief 
marts  of  commerce  in  Virginia.  The  late  Murray 
Forbes,  of  Falmouth,  son  of  Dr.  Stirling  Forbes, 
an  eminent  physician  of  Dumfries,  when  a  boy  be- 
came one  of  his  clerks,  living  in  his  family  and 
sharing  his  kindness  with  his  sons.  Col.  Hender- 
son established  a  branch  of  his  business  in  Alex- 

108 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

andria  in  connection  with  his  cousin  and  son-in- 
law,  known  as  ''Scotch  Sandy."  In  process  of 
time  he  sent  Mr.  Forbes  to  Alexandria  to  man- 
age his  share  in  the  firm.  When  Mr.  Forbes  had 
become  of  age  Col.  Henderson  told  him  he  would 
like  to  keep  him  in  his  service,  as  he  had  con- 
ducted his  business  to  his  satisfaction  and  to  his 
own  credit.  But  he  added,  ''You  should  go  into 
business  on  your  own  account.  Here  is  a  check 
for  $5000  in  compensation  for  your  services,  and 
I  will  give  you  a  letter  of  credit  for  $5000  more. 
Mr.  Forbes  was  overwhelmed  with  surprise  at  the 
proposition,  but  the  Colonel  insisted,  and  Mr. 
Forbes  became  the  accomplished  merchant  and 
gentleman  so  well  known  in  Falmouth.  He 
cherished  a  profound  homage  for  Col.  Hender- 
son's memory,  and  told  his  eldest  son  to  hold  his 
name,  character  and  Hneage,  in  high  respect.  Col. 
Henderson  died  in  181 5,  leaving  six  sons  and  four 
daughters.  John,  Alexander  and  James  moved  to 
Wood  County,  West  Va.  Richard  was  an  emi- 
nent lawyer  of  Leesburg.  Archibald  was  Gen. 
Henderson  of  the  Marine  Corps,  U.  S.  A.  Thomas 
was  a  distinguished  Surgeon  of  the  Army,  and  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
Virginia.  One  of  his  daughters,  Sarah,  was  a  de- 
vout and  sweet  poetess,  and  married  Gen.  Francis 
H.  Smith,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Virginia  Mil- 
itary Institute.  This  old  Vestryman  is  now  repre- 
sented in  the  Parish  by  one  of  his  lineal  descend- 

109 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ants,  Mrs.  Dr.  Nevitt,  of  Accotink,  who,  like  her 
great  grandfather,  worships  in  the  same  old  Po- 
hick  Church. 

Lund  Washington,  who  became  a  Vestry- 
man in  1782,  was  the  son  of  Townshend  Wash- 
ington and  Elizabeth  Lund,  of  Chotank  Creek, 
King  George  County.  He  was  born  October  i, 
1737,  and  died  in  1796.  In  his  youth  he  was  a 
manager  of  a  large  estate  in  Albemarle  and 
Orange.  He  was  then  appointed  manager  of  Rav- 
ensworth  in  Fairfax  by  Col.  Henry  Fitzhugh,  of 
King  George.  Subsequently  he  was  chosen  by 
General  Washington  to  superintend  Mt.  Vernon, 
w^hich  he  did  until  1785.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
bodily  strength  and  activity,  and  made  money  for 
his  employers  and  for  himself.  He  married  his 
cousin,  Betsey  Foote. 

Edw^\rd  Washington  was  chosen  Vestr)^- 
man  in  1779.  Lund  Washington  says  of  him: 
"Edward  Washington  lived  a  few  miles  from  Col- 
chester when  I  wxnt  there  to  live  in  1786.  My 
uncle,  Lawrence  Washington  and  I  believed  him 
to  be  a  relative  from  his  strong  resemblance  to 
the  family."  His  father  was  living  in  1788,  a  very 
old  man. 

Dr.  Peter  Wagener,  Vestryman  in  1771, 
was  an  Englishman,  and  was  Clerk  of  Stafford 
County  before  Fairfax  was  established.  It  was  on 
his  land  that  the  town  of  Colchester  was  founded 
in  1754,  and  he  was  one  of  the  original  Trustees 

no 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

with  Daniel  ]\Ic.Carty,  John  Barry,  W'ilHam  Elzy 
and  Edward  Washington.  He  married  a  sister  of 
Mr.  Speaker  Robinson  of  the  House  of  Burgesses. 
(1750.)  Their  daughter  Ehzabeth  married  Rev. 
Spence  Grayson  of  Dettingen  Parish,  (1781- 
1797).  Peter  W'agener,  son  of  the  foregoing,  was 
chosen  Vestryman  in  1774  to  succeed  his  father 
who  died  that  year.  He  was  Clerk  of  Fairfax 
County,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty.  Their  son,  Beverly  Robinson,  married  in 
1790  a  daughter  of  Col.  Benjamin  Harrison  of 
Prince  William  County.  A  daughter  of  Peter 
\A'agener  married  Dr.  Morton  of  Colchester,  and 
2d.  Col.  Porter  of  Prince  William. 

Lawrence  Lewis,  of  Woodlawn,  w^as  the 
son  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis,  of  Fredericksburg,  and 
his  wife  Betty,  only  sister  of  General  Washington. 
He  was  born  April  4,  1767.  Col.  Fielding  Lewis, 
by  his  last  wall,  dated  October  19,  1781,  devised 
to  his  son  Lawrence  one  thousand  acres  of  land 
in  the  County  of  Frederick,  one  sixth  of  his  ne- 
groes and  one  third  of  his  stock  of  cattle,  horses, 
&c.  When  Lawrence  had  attained  the  age  of 
twenty  one  he  was  engaged  by  his  uncle  to  live  at 
Mt.  Vernon  and  aid  him  in  receiving  strangers  and 
entertaining  the  perpetual  flow  of  company  to  that 
hospitable  mansion.  In  his  letter  Gen.  Washing- 
ton said : — ''Your  Aunt  and  I  are  in  the  decline  of 
life  and  are  regular  in  our  habits,  especially  of  ris- 
ing and  going  to  bed.     I  require  some  fit  person 

III 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

to  ease  me  of  the  trouble  of  entertaining  company, 
particularly  of  nights,  it  being  my  inclination  to 
retire,  and,  (unless  prevented  by  very  particular 
company,)  I  always  do  retire  either  to  bed  or  to 
my  study,  soon  after  candle  light.  In  taking  these 
duties,  which  hospitality  always  obliges  me  to  be- 
stow upon  company,  off  my  hands,  it  would  render 
me  a  very  acceptable  service." 

Mt.  Vernon  was  the  home  of  the  beautiful  Nel- 
lie Custis,  Mrs.  Washington's  granddaughter, 
when  Lawrence  Lewis  entered  the  bower.  Two 
such  bright  particular  stars  thus  moving  in  the 
same  orbit,  by  a  mutual  attraction  soon  became 
one,  according  to  that  saying  of  our  quaint  old 
South, — ''An  invisible  hand  from  Heaven  mingles 
hearts  by  a  strange  secret  and  unaccountable  con- 
junction." 

Gen.  Washington  in  his  last  will  devises  two 
thousand  acres  of  the  Mt.  Vernon  estate  to  Law- 
rence Lewis  and  his  wife,  Eleanor  P.  (Custis)  Lew- 
is. The  writer  has  a  beautiful  plot  of  this  land, 
with  endorsement :  "A  Plan  of  a  part  of  Mt.  Ver- 
non lands,  N.  W.  of  the  road  leading  from  the  gum 
spring  on  little  Hunting  Creek  to  the  ford  of 
Dogue  Run.  Beginning  at  three  red  marked  oaks 
on  a  rising  therein,  opposite  to  the  old  road  which 
formerly  passed  through  the  S.  end  of  Muddy  Hole 
farm,  including  that  part  of  Chaple  land  which  be- 
longs to  the  subscriber,  as  also  the  Mill  and  Dis- 
tillery, showing  the  slopes,  contents  and  relative 

112 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

situation  of  every  field,  lot,  meadow,  and  likewise 
the  shape  and  contents  of  every  piece  of  wood- 
land appertaining  thereto;  the  Avhole  having  been 
laid  down  by  an  actual  and  accurate  survey,  Sept. 
20,   1799. 

G.  Washington." 

This  survey  was  Washington's  work  less  than 
three  months  before  his  death. 

Col.  William  Grayson.  This  gentleman, 
spoken  of  in  the  Records  as  the  Attorney  for 
the  Vestry,  merits  special  mention.  He  was  the 
son  of  Benjamin  Grayson,  a  wealthy  merchant  of 
Colchester,  who  married  Susan  Monroe  of  West- 
moreland. He  was  the  brother  of  Rev.  Spence 
Grayson,  Rector  of  Dettingen  Parish.  William 
Grayson,  born  1736,  was  educated  in  England  and 
practiced  law  in  Dumfries.  On  nth  of  November, 
1774,  the  Independent  Company  of  Cadets  was 
formed  in  Prince  William  and  chose  Grayson  their 
Captain.  The  motto  of  the  Company,  was,  "Ant 
Liber  ant  NuUus."  A  Committee  consisting  of 
Philip  R.  F.  Lee  was  sent  to  wait  on  Col.  Wash- 
ington and  ask  him  to  take  command  of  the  Com- 
pany as  Field  Officer.  To  this  he  assented,  and 
when  he  took  command  of  the  Army  he  took  leave 
of  them  in  a  formal  letter.  This  Company  offered 
to  unite  with  the  Fredericksburg  Company  and 
march  to  Williamsburg. 

Grayson  was  often  at  Mt.  Vernon,  as  stated  in 

113 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Washington's  Diary.  In  August,  1776,  Washing- 
ton appointed  him  one  of  his  Aids,  and  he  was 
with  him  in  many  campaigns  in  New  Jersey  and 
New  York,  distinguishing  himself  by  his  gallantry 
at  Monmouth,  and  was  in  hearing  of  the  spicy 
colloquy  between  Gen.  Washington  and  Gen. 
Charles  Lee.  Grayson  and  Lieut.  Col.  Jones  were 
appointed  Colonels  of  the  two  new  Regiments 
raised  in  Virginia.  He  was  put  by  Washington  at 
the  head  of  a  Commission  to  settle  the  vexed  ques- 
tions arising  out  of  the  capture  of  Gen.  Charles 
Lee.  In  1778  he  was  made  Commissioner  on  the 
Board  of  War.  Bishop  White  used  to  tell  an  an- 
ecdote of  the  bold  and  dashing  way  in  which  he, 
at  this  time,  dispersed  a  mob  near  his  house  in 
Philadelphia.  In  1784  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 
and  also  made  a  member  of  a  Court  for  determin- 
ing a  dispute  between  Massachusetts  and  New 
York.  In  1778  he  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia 
Convention  to  consider  the  ratification  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  and  spoke  and  voted 
against  it,  chiefly  upon  the  ground  that  the  pro- 
posed Constitution  would  destroy  the  rights  of  the 
States,  and  there  were  no  adequate  checks  against 
the  abuse  of  power,  especially  by  the  President, 
who  was  responsible  only  to  his  counsellors  and 
partners  in  crime,  the  members  of  the  Senate. 
And  yet,  though  in  the  minority  on  this  exciting 
question,  he  and  Richard  Henry  Lee  were  chosen 
the  first  Senators  in  Congress  from  Virginia.     He 

114 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

served  one  session  in  the  Senate,  and  died  on  his 
way  to  the  second,  on  the  12th  of  March,  1790, 
and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault  at  Belaire  in 
Prince  William  County.  Although  Col.  Grayson 
filled  so  many  public  trusts  with  signal  ability,  he 
has,  from  want  of  a  biographer,  almost  lapsed 
from  history,  while  other  inferior  men  live  in  story 
and  song.  In  person  he  was  six  feet  high,  of  a 
full  habit  and  florid  complexion,  with  black  hair 
and  eyes.  With  his  varied  culture  he  was  elegant 
in  conversation  as  he  was  able  in  debate.  He  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  Gen.  Smallwood,  of  Maryland,  and 
left  four  sons,  William,  George,  Alfred  and  Rob- 
ert, and  one  daughter,  Helen,  who  married  John 
Carter,  of  Loudoun,  who  went  to  Kentucky,  and 
whose  eldest  son  moved  to  Tennessee.  Robert 
married  Miss  Breckenridge,  of  Kentucky. 

George  Johnston.  This  gentleman,  one  of 
the  legal  advisers  of  the  Vestry,  was  the  son  of 
Dr.  James  Johnston  who  migrated  to  Maryland. 
The  son  came  to  Virginia  and  settled  in  Fairfax 
County,  which  he  represented  in  the  General  As- 
sembly. Patrick  Henry's  famous  resolutions  were 
seconded  by  Mr.  Johnston  in  a  "speech  of  great 
eloquence  and  power."  He  married  Miss  Thomp- 
son, by  whom  he  had  two  daughters,  one  of  whom 
married  Rev.  Lee  Massey,  of  Truro  Parish,  and 
the  other  married  Robert  Howson  Harrison,  one 
of  Washington's  aids.  He  married  for  his  second 
wife  Miss  Mc.Carty,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons  and 

115 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

four  daughters.  Two  of  his  sons  were  officers  in 
the  Revokition,  and  a  grandson,  Major  George 
Johnston,  in  the  Confederate  States  Army. 

Martin  Cockburn,  whose  name  so  often  ap- 
pears in  the  Parish  Records,  was  a  native  of 
Jamaica.  While  travelUng  in  Virginia,  in  his 
eighteenth  year,  with  Dr.  Cockburn,  he  became 
fascinated  with  Miss  Bronaugh.  She  would  not 
go  to  Jamaica,  and  he  had  to  come  to  Virginia  to 
win  the  prize.  He  bought  a  farm,  Springfield, 
near  Gunston,  where  they  lived  to  a  good  old  age. 
He  was  a  polished  Christian  gentleman,  much  es- 
teemed by  George  Mason,  as  is  attested  by  their 
correspondence  still  extant. 

Capt.  Cleon  Moore,  of  Colchester,  elected 
Vestryman  in  1781,  was  badly  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Brandywine.  He  moved  to  Alexandria 
in  1800  and  was  appointed  Register  of  Wills, 
which  office  he  filled  until  his  death  in  1808. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Alexander,  who  was 
born  at  Colchester  January  8,  1786.  His  first  wife 
was  the  daughter  of  Col.  Roger  West,  of  West 
Grove,  Fairfax  County.  Cleon  Moore  was  the 
author  of  Washington's  March.  He  was  wont  to 
tell  this  anecdote  of  himself,  says  Mr.  Brocket,  of 
the  "Lodge  of  Washington"  : 

During  the  Revolution  he  was  stationed  with 
a  squad  of  men  in  the  Northern  Neck,  without  ra- 
tions. Chancing  to  see  a  flock  of  geese,  belonging 
to  a  Mr.  Page,  he  "impressed"  them,  except  a 

116 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

gander,   to   whose   neck   he   attached   a   piece   of 
paper,  containing  nine-pence,  with  these  hnes : — 

''My  good  Mr.  Page, 

Be  not  in  a  rage. 
Nor  think  it  a  very  great  wonder; 

We  have  taken  nine  geese. 

At  a  penny  apiece. 
And  sent  the  money  home  by  the  gander." 

[End  of  Dr.  Slaughter's  Manuscript.] 


117 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Thomas  Withers  Coffer,  born  1713,  and  a 
Vestryman  of  Truro  from  1765  to  his  death, 
in  1 78 1,  was  a  son  of  Francis  Coffer,  (born  1683, 
died  1740)  and  ]\Iary  Littlejohn  Withers,  his  wife. 
His  seat  was  at  or  near  the  present  residence  of 
]\I.  D.  Hall,  Esq.,  whose  wife  is  one  of  his  de- 
scendants: so  he  was  one  of  the  "upper"  Vestry- 
men, being  a  neighbor,  as  neighbors  were  ac- 
counted then,  of  Capt.  Payne,  ^Ir.  Gardner,  Mr. 
Ford  and  Mr.  Ellzey.  His  wife  was  Mary  Fargu- 
son,  who  was  born  in  171 5  and  died  in  1758.  Their 
son  Francis  Coffer  was  born  in  1748,  and  was  a 
Vestryman  from  1776  to  1785.  He  married  a 
Miss  Gunnell.  Thomas  Coffer,  their  son,  born 
1773,  was  captain  of  a  company  from  Fairfax  in 
the  war  of  18 12.  He  married  Ann  Simpson,  and 
died  in  1862,  leaving  eight  children,  namely:  Wil- 
liam Coffer,  married  Miss  Harmed,  line  extinct; 
Hannah  Coffer,  married  Silas  Burke:  Jane  Coffer, 
married  Levi  Burke:  Elizabeth  Coffer,  married 
George  Selectman;  Thomas  Coffer,  married  Jane 
Selectman;  Henry  Coffer,  married  Harriett  Tay- 
lor; Joshua  Coffer,  married  Hulda  Simpson;  Armi- 
stead  Thompson  Mason  Coffer,  died  unmarried. 
The  descendants  of  Hannah,  Jane,  Henry  and 
Joshua  Coffer  have  restored  a  pew  in  Pohick 
Church  in  memory  of  Thomas  Withers  Coffer. 

Triplett.  The  will  of  Francis  Triplett  of  the 
Parish  of  Truro  is  dated  October  4th,  1757,  and 
gives   the   names   of  his   children,   Thomas,   Wil- 

118 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Ham,  Daniel,  John,  Francis,  Mason,  Margaret 
(married  Boylston,)  and  Patty.  Of  these  WilHam 
Triplett  was  a  Vestryman  of  Truro  from  1776 
to  1785,  being  elected  in  the  room  of  George  Wil- 
liam Fairfax.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  in 
his  neighborhood,  and  was  among  the  friends  in- 
vited by  Mrs.  Washington  to  the  funeral  of  the 
General.  Thomas  Triplett  was  a  trooper  in  the 
French  and  Indian  War,  March,  1756;  and  his 
brother  Francis  Triplett  w^as  in  Col.  George  Wash- 
ington's regiment  in  the  same  war.  The  latter  re- 
ceived a  wound  in  the  arm,  for  which  55  pounds 
was  granted  him  by  the  General  Assembly.  He 
was  afterward  a  captain  of  militia  in  Fauquier 
County,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  a  Vestryman 
of  Leeds  Parish.  His  daughter  Ann  married 
Capt.  Elias  Hord.  The  Rev.  Arnold  H.  Hord,  of 
Philadelphia,  is  among  her  descendants. 


119 


Vestrymen  and  Church  Wardens  of  Truro 
Parish,    i  732-1 785. 

(C.  W  =Church  Warden.) 

Dennis  Mc.Carty,  1732-41. 
John  Heryford,  1732-43  died.    C.  W.    1732-4. 
Edward  Barry,  1732-44.    C.  W.    1737-44. 
Charles  Broadwater,   1732-33  and  1744-65.     C. 
W.  1750-1,  52-3,  56-7. 

Richard  Osborne,  1732-48.    C.  W.  1747-8. 

John  Lewis,  1732-33. 

Gabriel  Adams,   1732-33. 

Edward  Emms,  1732-48.   C.  W.  1732-6,  48-9. 

Francis  Awbrey,  1733-34. 

William  Godfrey,   1733-44. 

John  Sturman,  1733-46.    C.  W.  1743. 

Giles  Tillett,  1733-34. 

Rev.  Lawrence  De  Butts,  Minister,  1733-34. 

Michael  Ashford,  1733-34. 

Jeremiah  Bronaugh,  1733-44,  and  1747-50  died. 

c.  w.  1734-7.  42-4,  48- 

William  Peake,  1733-44,  and  1749-62  died. 
John  Farguson,   1733-44- 
Thomas  Lewis,  1733-44.     C.  W.  1736-40. 
James  Baxter,  1734-36. 

120 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

John  Colvill,  1734-48.    C.  W.  1740-2. 

Augustine  Washington,  1735-37. 

Rev.  Charles  Green,  Rector,  1737-64. 

John  Baxter,  1743-44. 

Robert  Boggess,  1744-65.  C.  W.  1748-9,  54-5, 
59-61. 

Daniel  French,  1744-46. 

Andrew  Hutchinson,  1744-48.    C.  W.  1747-8. 

John  Minor,  1744-48.    C.  W.  1746-7. 

Lewis  Ellzey,  1744-48,  and  1765.    C.  W.  1744-6. 

John  West,  1744-48,  and  1750-65.  C.  W.  1744- 
6,  55-8. 

Hugh  West,  1744-54  died.    C.  W.  1746-7,  48. 

George   Mason,    1749-85.     C.    W.    1750,    55-6, 

65-6,  73-4. 

Daniel  Mc.Carty,  1749-84.  C.  W.  175 1-2,  53-4, 
58-9,  64-5,  68-9,  75-6,  78-9,  81-4. 

John  Turley,  1749-56.     C.  W.  1754-5- 

James  Hamilton,  1749-56.     C.  W.  1 750-1. 

William  Payne,  Sr.,  1750-65.  C.  W.  175 1-2, 
57-8. 

Abraham  Barnes,  1750-65.  C.  W.  1753-4, 
59-61. 

William  Fairfax,  1754-57  died. 

William  Payne,  Jr.,  1756-65.     C.  W.  1 761-3,  64. 

Henry  Gunnell,  1756-65.     C.  W.  1 761-3. 

George  William  Fairfax,  1757-76.  C.  W.  1763- 
4,  70-1. 

121 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

George  Washington,  1762-65,  and  1765-84.    C. 
\Y.  1763-4,  66-7,  74-5. 

Edward  Payne,   1765-74.     C.  W.   1765-6,  70-1, 

73-4. 

Thos.    Withers    Coffer,    1765-84   died.     C.    W. 
1768-9,  71-2. 

WilHam  Gardner,  1765-76.     C.  W.  1766-7. 

Alexander  Henderson,   1765-85.     C.   W.   1769- 
70,  79-80. 

Thomazen  Ellzey,   1765-85.     C.  W.  1767-8,  72-3, 
76-7,  81-4. 

Thomas  Ford,  1765-76.     C.  W.  1769-70. 

John  Ford,  1765. 

Peter  Wagener,  Sr.,   1765,  72-74  died.     C.  W. 
1771-2. 

WilHam  Linton,  1765-70  died. 

John  Posey,  1765-70.     C.  W.  1767-8. 

Rev.  Lee  Massey,  Rector,  1767-77. 

Martin  Cockburn,  1770-79.     C.  W.  1772-3. 

Thomas  Pollard,  1774-84.     C.  W.  1774-6,  78-9. 

Peter  Wagener,  Jr.,  1774-85.    C.  W.  1776-7,  79- 
80,  84-5. 

William  Triplett,  1776-85.     C.  W.  1777-8. 

Francis  Coffer,  1776-85.     C.  W.  1777-8. 

Edward  Washington,   1779-85. 

William  Deneale,  1781-85.    C.  W.  1784-5. 

Cleon  Moore,  1781-85. 

John  Gibson,  1784-85. 

James  Waiigh,  1784-85. 

Lund  Washington,  1784-85. 
122 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

All  Vestries  were  dissolved  at  Easter,  1785,  by 
the  Act  of  Assembly  by  which  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  was  incorporated. 


Clerks  of  the  Vestry 

Edward  Barry,  1732-44. 
William  Henry  Terrett,  1744-56. 
John  West,  Jr.,  1756-64. 
John  Barry,  1764-75. 
Rev.  Lee  Massey,  1775-77. 
Francis  Adams,   1777-79. 
Peter  Wagener,   1781-85. 


Clerks  and  Lay  Readers  at  the  Churches 

Joseph  Johnson,  New,  or  Falls,  and  Goose 
Creek,  1733-35- 

Edward  Barry,  Pohick,  1736-39. 

Samuel  Hull,  Goose  Creek,  1736-40. 

John  Bowie,  Pohick,   1739-41. 

John  Richardson,  Goose  Creek,  1741-45. 

John  Barry,  Pohick,  1743-75.  Also  at  Alexan- 
dria, 1759-65;  and  at  the  Falls,  1761-65;  and  at 
Littlejohns,  1766. 

Walter  English,  Upper,  or  Falls,  1743-45. 

John  Wybird  Dainty,  Upper,  or  Falls,  1745-53; 
and  Alexandria,  1754-57. 

John  Allen,  Goose  Creek,  1745-46. 

123 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

John  Moxley,  Goose  Creek,  1747. 

Thomas  Evans,  Goose  Creek,  1748. 

WilHam  Donaldson,  Upper,  or  Falls,  1754-55. 

John  Lumley,  Upper,  or  Falls,  1756-58;  and 
Alexandria,  1758. 

Thomas  Lewis,  Falls,  1759-60. 

Elijah  Williams,  Littlejohns  and  Upper,  or 
Payne's,  1766-69.     Continued  as  Reader  to  1771. 

Benjamin  H.  West,  Upper,  or  Payne's,  1769-72. 

Daniel  Atkins,  Upper,  or  Payne's,  1772-77;  and 
at  Pohick,  1775-77. 


Overseers  of  the  Poor 

The  following  is  a  list,  in  order,  of  the  Overseers 
of  the  Poor,  who  succeeded  the  Vestries  in  caring 
for  the  poor  of  the  County,  and  in  certain  other 
civil  duties,  from  1787  to  1802;  from  their  records 
in  the  Vestry  Book  of  Truro.  Elections  of  Over- 
seers were  held  every  three  years. 

Peter  Wagener  Presley  Gunnell 

Thomazen  Ellzey  George  Summers 

John  Fowler  Nicolas  Fitzhugh 

John  Moss  Coleman  Brown 

Simon  Sommers  Rezin  Offutt 

George  Minor  Thomas  Darne 

Richard  Simpson  Daniel  Kitchen 

John  West  William  Gunnell,  Jr. 

Roger  West  John  Dulin 

124 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


Daniel  Mc.Carty 
Thomas  Pollard 
Thomas  Gunnell 
Thompson  Mason 
Charles  Alexander 
James  Wiley 


Francis  Coffer 
William  Violett 
Charles  Thrift 
William  Middleton 
Edward  Dulin 
James  Douglass 


^25 


Burgesses  From  Fairfax  County 

(Note:   Each   County   was   entitled   to   two   Bur- 
gesses.) 

Lawrence  Washington,  1742- 1749. 
John  Colvill,  17ZJ4-1748. 
Richard  Osborne,  1 748-1 749. 
Hugh  West,  1752-1754. 
Gerrard  Alexander,  1 752-1 755. 
John    West,    1756-1758,    and    1761-1765,    and 
1 766- 1 774. 

George  William  Fairfax,  1756- 1758. 
George  Johnston,  1 758-1 765. 
George  Mason,  1758-1761. 
George  Washington,  1 765-1 775. 
Charles  Broadwater,  1775. 

Delegates  to  the  Conventions 
1 775-1 776. 

March  1775.  George  Washington  and  Charles 
Broadwater. 

July  1775.  Charles  Broadwater  and  George 
Mason. 

December  1775.    Charles  Broadwater. 

126 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

May  1776.    John  West,  Jr.,  and  George  Mason. 

George  William  Fairfax  was  a  Burgess  for  Fred- 
erick County,  1 752-1 755;  Hugh  West,  1 756-1 758; 
and  George  Washington,  1 758-1 765.  Augustine 
Washington  was  a  Burgess  from  Westmoreland. 
1 754-1 758;  William  Fairfax  a  Burgess  for  Prince 
W^illiam  before  his  promotion  to  the  Council  in 
1744;  and  James  Hamilton  a  Burgess  for  Loudoun 
for  many  years  prior  to  1771.  All  of  those  named 
above,  with  the  exception  of  Lawrence  Washing- 
ton, Gerrard  Alexander  and  George  Johnston, 
were  Vestrymen  of  Truro  Parish. 

This  list  is  gathered  from  Stanard's  ''Virginia 
Colonial  Register,"  except  in  the  case  of  Col.  John 
Colvill,  whom  Stanard  supposes  to  have  succeeded 
William  Fairfax  as  Burgess  for  Prince  William 
in  1744.  But  beside  the  testimony  of  the  Rev. 
Charles  Green  that  he  was  "a.  Burgess  for  this 
county"  in  1744,  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Bur^ 
gesses  for  that  year  indicates  that  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  House  when  the  Writ  for  the  election 
of  a  successor  to  Mr.  Fairfax  was  issued.  The 
matter  is  set  at  rest,  however,  by  reference  to  ''The 
Poll  for  Election  of  Burgesses  for  Fairfax  County 
in  the  year  1744,"  on  record  in  the  Clerk's  ofHce. 
Capt.  Lawrence  Washington  received  152  votes; 
Col.  John  Colvill,  151;  Capt.  Lewis  Elzey,  loi; 
and  others  a  smaller  number. 

127 


LIST  OF  VOTERS  AT  AN  ELECTION  OF 

BURGESSES  IN  FAIRFAX  COUNTY 

IN  1744. 

(Note: — Not  all  of  these  voters  lived  in  Fair- 
fax. An  elector  could  vote  in  every  country  in 
which  he  owned  a  freehold  of  25  acres  of  improved 
land,  or  100  acres  if  unimproved.  Each  name  ap- 
pears twice  on  the  poll  lists,  hence  the  variations 
in  spelling.) 


Benjamin  Adams 
Gabriel  Adams 
Gabriel  Adams,  Jun. 
George  Adams 
Garrat  Alexander 
Bryant  Aliston 
John  Allan 
John  Ashford 
Michael  Ashford 
William  Ashford 
Francis  Awbrey 
John  Aylatt 
Robert  Baker 
John  Ball 
Moses  Ball 
William  Barker 
Wm.  Barkley,  or 

Buckley 
William  Bartlett 


William  Barton 

Robt.  Bates 

H.  Baugus,  or  Boggess 

John  Baxter 

Thomas  Beach 

Col.  Blackburn 

Robert  Boggess 

W.  Boylston,  or  Boilston 

Thos.  Bosman 

William  Bowling 

Henry  Brent 

Chas.  Broadwater 

Guy  Broadwater 

John  Bronaugh 

Jeremiah  Bronaugh 

Thomas  Brown 

John  Canady 

Thos.  Carney 

Richard  Carpenter 

128 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


Job  Carter 
Wm.  Champneys 
Nathaniel  Chapman 
Josias  Clapham 
William  Clifton 
Catesby  Cocke 
John  Cockerell 
Richard  Coleman 
John  Colvill 
Samuel  Comer 
Jadwin  Crutcher 
Balden  Dade 
Townsend  Dade 
James  Daniel 
Sampson  Darrell 
Thomas  Darus 
William  Davie 
John  Dickins 
Robert  Dickins 
Joseph  Dickson,  or 

Dixon 
Daniel  Diskin,  or 

Deskins 
William  Dodd 
George  Dunbarr 
Blanchr.  Duntan 
Cornelius  Eltenger 
Thomas  Ellett 
John  Elliott 


Lewis  Ellzey 
Edward  Emms 
Col.  Chas.  Ewel(l) 
Bertram  Ewell 
"Esquire"  Fairfax 
Jeremiah  Fairhurst 
Thomas  Falkner 
John  Farguson 
Thomas  Ford 
George  Foster 
Robert  Forster 
Daniel  French  Sen. 
Daniel  French  (Jun.) 
Joshua  Garrett 
Owen  Gilmore 
William  Gladding 
John  Gladding 
John  Goram 
Edward  Graham 
John  Graham 
John  Grant 
John  Grantum 
Charles  Green 
Charles  Grififin 
James  Grimsley 
Edward  Grymes 
William  Grymes 
John  Guest 
Henry  Gunnell 


129 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


William  Gunnel 
William  Gunnel,  Jun. 
William  Hairsling 
William  Hall,,  Sen. 
William  Hall  Jun. 
Thomas  Hall 
James  Halley 
William  Hailing 
John  Hamilton 
John  Hampton 
William  Harle 
Samuel  Harris,  Sen. 
George  Harrison 
Samuel  Harrison 
Daniel  Hart 
John  Hartley- 
John  Hartshorne 
Francis  Haugo,  or  Hago 
George  Hester 
Robert  Hester 
John  Hicherson 
Jos.   Higgerson 
Thomas  Hicks 
Thomas  Hord 
John  Hurst 
John  Husk 
Andrew  Hutchinson 
Nimrod  Hutt 
Powell  Jackson 


Joseph  Jacobs 
Abel  Jenny,  or  Janney 
Amos  Jenny,  or  Janney 
Jacob  Janney 
James  Jefferey 
Ezekiel  Jenkins 
James  Jenkins 
John  Jenkins 
William  Jenkins 
Thom.as  John 
James  Keith 
Robert  King 
Richard  Kirkland 
William  Kirkland 
William  Kitchen 
James  Koon 
John  Koon 
Daniel  Krouch 
James  Lane 
Jacob  Lawfull 
Abraham  Lay 
Thomas  Lewis 
Thomas  Lewis,  Jun. 
Stephen  Lewis 
Vincent  Lewis 
Abraham  Lindsey 
Moses  Linton 
Jacob  Lucas 
John  Lucas 


130 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


John  Manley 
Thomas  Marshall 
John  Martin 
Wm.  Meckby,  or  Mc.Bee 
John  Meade 
John  Melton 
John  Minor 
Thomas  Monteith 
William  Moore 
Thomas  Moseley 
Thomas  Moxley 
James  Murray 
John  Musgrove 
Christopher  Neale 
Anthony  Neale 
Henry  Netherton 
Philip  Noland 
Edward  Norton 
Richard  Omohundro 
Thomas  Owsley 
William  Peake 
Thomas  Penson 
William  Perkins 
Henry  Peyton 
Vail  Peyton 
George  Piatt 
Nathaniel  Popejoy 
Christopher  Pritchett 
Jacob  Ramey 
William  Reardon 


Joseph  Reid 
David  Richardson 
James  Roberts 
John  Roberts,  Sen. 
John  Roberts,  Jun. 
William  Roberts 
James  Robinson 
John  Robinson 
Richard  Samford 
Robert  Samford 
James  Sanders,  or 

Saunders 
Lewis  Sanders 
Edniond  Sands 
^^'illiam  Saunders 
Thomas  Scandall 
James  Scott 
Benj.  Sebastian 
John  Shaddedin 
William  Shortridge 
Isaac  Simmonds 
Baxter  Simpson 
George  Simpson 
Gilbert  Simpson 
Richard  Simpson 
William  Simpson 
Jacob  Smith 
James  Smith 
Thomas  Smith 
William  Smith 


131 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 


James  Spurr 
Samuel  Stone 
John  Straham 
William  Stribling 
John  Sturman 
William  Stutt 
Francis  Summers 
Isaac  Summers 
John  Summers 
George  Taylor 
John  Taylor 
W.  H.  Terrett 
David  Thomas 
Daniel  Thomas 
Robert  Thomas 
John  Thompson 
Samuel  Tillett 
Daniel  Trammel 
Garret,  or  Gerrard, 

Trammel 
John  Trammell 
William  Trammell 
Francis  Triplett 
James  Turley 
John  Turley 


Fielding  Turner 
Michael  Valandigam 
Bond  Veal 
Zepheniah  Wade 
Samuel  Warner 
Lawrence  W^ashington 
Henry  Watson 
James  Waugh 
Hugh  West 
John  West 
Thomas  W^est 
Richard  Wheeler 
Thomas  Whitford 
Francis  Wilks 
Owen  Williams 
\\^alter  Williams 
William  Williams,  Sen. 
W^illiam  Williams,  Jun. 
Thomas  Willis 
William  Winsor 
Thomas  Windsor 
Thomas  Wren 
William  Wright 
James  Wyatt 
Daniel  Young 


132 


Deed  for  WashingtOxN's  Pew 

The  Deeds,  nine  in  number,  for  the  pews  sold 
in  Pohick  Church,  including  that  for  the  Minis- 
ter's pew,  are  recorded  in  full  in  the  records  of  the 
Clerk's  Office  of  Fairfax  County.  Bishop  Meade 
says  they  are  probably  the  first  of  the  kind  ever 
executed  in  Virginia,  as  he  had  met  with  no  hint 
of  any  such  thing  before  in  all  his  researches.  The 
Deed  for  Washington's  pews  is  as  follows : 

'This  Indenture,  made  the  twenty  fourth  day 
of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand, seven  and  seventy  four,  between  the  Vestry 
of  Truro  Parish,  in  the  County  of  Fairfax,  of  the 
one  part,  and  George  Washington,  of  the  same 
parish  and  county,  Gent :  of  the  other  part :  Where- 
as the  said  Vestry  did,  on  the  5th.  Day  of  June,  in 
the  year  1772,  order  sundry  pews  in  the  new 
Church  on  the  upper  side  of  Pohick  to  be  sold,  at 
the  laying  of  the  next  Parish  Levy,  to  the  highest 
bidder  for  the  benefit  of  the  Parish;  pursuant  to 
which  order  the  said  pews  were  sold  accordingly 
by  the  Vestry  at  the  laying  of  the  said  Parish 
Levy  on  the  20th.  day  of  November,  in  the  same 
year;  and  the  said  George  Washington,  party  to 
these  presents,  then  purchased  one  certain  pew  in 

133 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

the  said  Church  for  the  price  of  sixteen  pounds 
current  money,  to  wit  the  pew  numbered  28,  sit- 
uate between  the  two  long  Isles  and  adjoining  the 
North  Isle  and  the  space  before  the  Communion 
Table,  and  a  certain  Lund  Washington,  Gent;  did 
at  the  same  time  purchase  another  certain  pew  in 
the  said  Church  for  the  price  of  thirteen  pounds 
ten  shillings,  current  money,  to  wit,  the  pew  num- 
bered 29  situate  between  the  two  long  Isles  and 
adjoining  the  North  Isle  &  the  first  mentioned 
pew,  &  whereas  the  said  Lund  Washington  hath 
since  relinquished  and  given  up  all  his  right  and 
title  to  the  said  pew  numbered  29  purchased  by 
him  as  aforesaid  unto  the  said  George  Washing- 
ton, as  by  the  proceedings  and  records  of  the  said 
Vestry,  Reference  being  thereunto  had,  may  more 
fully  and  at  large  appear.  Now  this  indenture 
Witnesseth  that  the  said  Vestry,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  sum  of  twenty  nine  pounds  ten 
shillings  current  money,  to  them  in  hand  paid,  for 
the  use  of  the  said  Parish,  by  the  said  George 
Washington,  before  the  sealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  con- 
fessed and  acknowledged,  have  granted,  bargained 
and  sold,  aliened  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
presents  do  grant,  bargain  and  sell  alien  and  con- 
firm unto  the  said  George  Washington  the  said 
two  pews  in  the  said  new  Church  lately  built  on 
the  upper  side  of  Pohick,  in  the  said  Parish  of 
Truro  and  County  aforesaid,  numbered  and  sit- 

134 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

uated  as  above  mentioned,  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  said  two  pews  above  described  unto  the  said 
George  Washington,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the 
only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him,  the  said  George 
Washington,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  And 
the  said  Vestry,  for  themselves  and  their  succes- 
sors (Vestrymen  of  Truro  Parish)  do  covenant  and 
grant  to  and  with  the  said  George  Washington, 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  that  he  the  said  George 
Washington,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  and  may 
forever  hereafter  peaceably  and  quietly  have,  hold 
and  enjoy  the  said  two  pews  above  mentioned  and 
described,  without  the  Lawful  Let,  Hindrance,  In- 
terruption, or  Molestation  of  any  person  or  per- 
sons whatsoever.  In  witness  whereof  the  Vestry 
now  present  (being  a  majority  of  the  Members) 
have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  affixed  their 
seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 
Wm.  Triplett,  Wm.  Payne,  Jr.,  John  Barry,  John 
Gunnell,  Thomas  Triplett. 

G.  Mason  (Seal) 
Daniel  Mc.Carty  (Seal) 
Alex.  Henderson  (Seal) 
T.  Ellzey  (Seal) 
Thos.  Withers  Coffer  (Seal) 
Thos.  Ford  (Seal) 
Pet:  Wagener  (Seal) 
Martin  Cockburn.    (Seal) 

135 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

''Received  this  twenty  fourth  day  of  February  in 
the  year  1774,  of  the  within  named  George  Wash- 
ington the  sum  of  twenty  nine  pounds,  ten  shill- 
ings, current  money,  being  the  consideration  men- 
tioned in  the  within  Deed." 

"Witness:"  (The  same  signatures  as  above.) 
Each   Vestryman   signed    every    Deed   but   his 
own,  Washington's  name  always  being  second,  ex- 
cept on  the  Deed  to  ''George  Mason  of  Gunston 
Hall,"  where  it  is  first. 


136 


Washington  as  a  Church-Goer 

In  a  popular  work  entitled  "The  True  George 
Washington,"  by  the  late  Paul  Leicester  Ford,  the 
brilliant  author  devotes  a  few  pages  only  to  a  sub- 
ject which  demands  a  far  more  accurate  and  sym- 
pathetic treatment  than  is  given  to  it,  namely, 
Washington's  religious  training  and  habits.  Re- 
ferring to  Washington's  services  as  a  Vestryman, 
it  is  acknowledged  that  he  was  "Quite  active  in 
Church  affairs;"  but  in  touching  these  the  author 
not  only  repeats  all  the  traditional  errors  which, 
for  lack  of  authentic  data,  have  been  made  by 
previous  writers  on  this  subject,  but  he  falls  into 
a  number  of  new  and  strange  ones,  and  becomes 
involved  in  a  most  curious  labyrinth  of  inaccura- 
cies.   All  these  the  foregoing  pages  will  correct. 

In  discussing  Washington's  habits  in  regard  to 
church  attendance  he  first  quotes  the  well  known 
testimony  of  the  Rev.  Lee  Massey,  his  pastor  and 
close  personal  friend,  as  follows: — "I  never  knew 
so  constant  an  attendant  at  Church  as  Washing- 
ton. And  his  behavior  in  the  house  of  God  was 
ever  so  deeply  reverential  that  it  produced  the 
happiest  effect  on  my  congregation,  and  greatly 
assisted  me  in  my  pulpit  labors.    No  company  ever 

137 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

withheld  him  from  Church.  I  have  been  at  Mount 
Vernon  on  Sabbath  morning  when  his  breakfast 
table  was  filled  with  guests;  but  to  him  they  fur- 
nished no  pretext  for  neglecting  his  God  and  los- 
ing the  satisfaction  of  setting  a  good  example.  For 
instead  of  staying  at  home,  out  of  false  complais- 
ance to  them,  he  used  constantly  to  invite  them  to 
accompany  him." 

The  author  thereupon  expresses  the  opinion 
that  this  was  ''Written  more  with  an  eye  to  its  in- 
fluence on  others  than  to  its  strict  accuracy;"  and 
continues, — "During  the  time  Washington  at- 
tended at  Pohick  Church  he  was  by  no  means  a 
strict  Church  goer.  His  daily  'Where  and  How 
my  Time  is  Spent'  enables  us  to  know  exactly  how 
often  he  attended  Church,  and  in  the  year  1760 
(?)  he  went  just  sixteen  times  and  in  1768  he  went 
fourteeen,  these  years  being  fairly  typical  of  the 
period  1 760-1 773." 

As  to  the  veracity  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Massey, 
whose  testimony  is  so  summarily  set  aside  as  dis- 
ingenuous, we  have  the  witness  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors,  the  Vestrymen  of  his  Parish,  who,  as  we 
have  seen,  certified  over  their  own  signatures  to 
"His  moral  character  and  unexceptionable  life  and 
conversation."  He  seems  indeed  to  have  been  a 
man  of  almost  super-conscientiousness.  He  re- 
tired from  the  practice  of  law  because,  as  his 
grandson,  Col.  J.  T.  Stoddert,  a  gentleman  of  the 
highest    standing,    who    remembered    him     well, 

138 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

states,  ''His  conscience  would  not  suffer  him  'to 
make  the  worse  appear  the  better  reason,'  and  to 
uphold  wrong  against  right.  He  tried  to  follow 
the  lead  of  Chancellor  Wythe,  to  examine  cases 
placed  in  his  care  and  to  accept  the  good  and  re- 
ject the  bad.  It  proved  a  failure,  and  he  withdrew 
from  practise.  He  recommended  me  to  read  law,'* 
he  continues,  "but  earnestly  opposed  my  pursuing 
it  as  a  vocation.  He  was  a  good  judge  of  charac- 
ter. He  loved  virtue  and  hated  vice  intensely. 
His  integrity  and  honour  were  of  the  highest  or- 
der, and  he  detested  all  meanness  and  double  deal- 
ing with  his  whole  heart." 

Such  was  the  character  borne  by  Mr.  Massey, 
who  certainly  had  the  best  opportunity  possible  to 
know  the  facts  in  the  case.  And  his  statement 
agrees  with  that  of  others  who,  to  go  no  further 
afield,  were  members  of  Washington's  household. 
Mrs.  Custis,  who  spent  two  years  at  Mount  Ver- 
non, testifies  to  "Hjs  extraordinary  punctuality  in 
attending  Church  and  his  reverent  behavior  there." 
And  his  ward,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis, 
of  ArUngton,  wrote  of  him:  "Washington  was  a 
strict  and  decorous  observer  of  the  Sabbath.  He 
always  attended  divine  service  in  the  morning,  and 
read  a  sermon  or  some  portion  of  the  Bible  to 
Mrs.  Washington  in  the  afternoon."  Mr.  Custis 
is  speaking  of  the  period  when  Washington  was 
President  and  had  opportunity  to  attend  Church 
regularly. 

139 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Figures  standing  alone  are  often  seriously  mis- 
leading, and  those  by  which  the  testimony  of  Mr. 
Massey  is  sought  to  be  impeached  need  some  ex- 
planation. In  the  first  place  it  is  not  quite  certain 
that  we  can  gather  from  Washington's  diary  "Ex- 
actly how  often  he  attended  Church."  The  cus- 
tomary and  habitual  is  just  what  is  usually  omitted 
from  a  journal  in  which  the  record  of  a  day  is  com- 
pressed within  the  compass  of  a  few  lines.  A  care- 
ful reading  of  this  diary,  kept  for  some  years  on 
the  blank  pages  of  interleaved  almanacs  and  after- 
wards in  small  note-books,  w411  show  that  while  at 
home  at  Mount  Vernon  it  was  chiefly  a  record  of 
the  company  he  entertained,  of  his  visits  to  his 
friends,  of  his  surveys,  his  adventures  in  the  hunt- 
ing field,  etc.  On  Sundays  he  would  sometimes 
mention  going  to  Church  quite  incidentally,  and 
it  is  seen  that  for  a  month  or  two  he  attended  about 
as  regularly  as  services  were  held.  Then  for  two 
or  more  months  perhaps  there  will  be  no  mention 
of  Church  at  all,  and  no  explanation  of  why  he  did 
not  attend  if  he  did  not.  But  when,  for  instance, 
he  ''Dined  at  Belvior"  with  such  and  such  guests 
he  might  very  well  have  gone  to  Church  on  the 
way,  or  the  neighbors  he  had  to  dinner  he  would 
quite  likely  have  brought  from  Church  with  him. 
The  more  usual  record  for  Sundays,  however,  is 
''At  home  all  day,"  or  "At  home  all  day  alone." 
This  would  seem  conclusive  until  we  find  that  it  is 
also  a  common  formula  for  week  days  on  which 

140 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

there  was  nothing  of  special  note  to  record.  It 
may  simply  mean  that  he  dined  at  home  without 
company;  and  especially  so  if  he  failed  to  make  the 
entry  on  Sunday  night  but  deferred  it  until  he 
would  be  at  his  desk  on  Monday.  Very  occasion- 
ally he  gives  a  reason  why  he  was  ''prevented  from 
Church." 

But  even  if  we  grant  that  the  above  estimate  of 
Washington's  attendance  at  Church  is  substan- 
tially correct,  other  considerations  must  be  borne 
in  mind  or  our  conclusions  will  be  wholly  at  fault. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  from  1760  to  1765 
there  was  but  one  minister  in  the  whole  of  Fair- 
fax County,  and  he  an  old  man  in  failing 
health.  Mr.  Green  ministered  alternately  at  three 
Churches,  situated  at  a  distance  of  about  nine,  te.i, 
and  eighteen  miles  respectively  from  Mount  Vei- 
non.  This  would  allow  him  to  preach  seventeen 
or  eighteen  times  in  a  year  at  Pohick.  After  the 
division  of  the  Parish  Mr.  Massey  had  but  two 
Churches  and  could  preach  twenty-six  times  a 
year  at  each,  when  the  weather,  the  numerous 
water  courses,  and  the  state  of  the  primitive  road- 
ways through  marsh  and  forest  permitted  a  con- 
gregation to  gather  from  distances  of  from  five  to 
fifteen  miles.  Residents  of  Fairfax  can  appreciate 
what  eighteen  miles,  going  and  coming,  in  the 
Mount  Vernon  ''chariot"  or  even  on  horseback, 
must  have  meant;  and  can  still  understand  the 
statement  of  Mrs.  Nellie  Custis  Lewis  that  Wash- 

141 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

ington  attended  Church  ''When  the  weather  and 
roads  permitted."  Moreover  Washington  was  ab- 
sent from  home  for  several  months  of  each  year, 
frequently  in  the  wilds  of  western  Virginia  or  on 
the  Ohio.  While  visiting  relatives  in  the  lower 
counties  he  mentions  frequently  the  Churches  he 
attended,  probably  as  interesting  memoranda,  ai'd 
the  same  was  the  case  when  he  was  in  Philadel- 
phia. At  the  Berkeley  Springs  he  twice  "attended 
Church  forenoon  and  afternoon."  At  Fredericks- 
burg he  ''Went  to  prayers  (lay  reading)  and  dined 
afterwards  at  Col.  Lewis."  On  hearing  that  the 
smallpox  had  broken  out  among  his  servants  in 
Frederick,  he  starts  at  once  to  visit  them  and 
"Took  Church  on  my  way  to  Colemans."  These 
and  many  such  references  indicate  his  habit.  The 
argument  from  silence  is  never  a  very  safe  one, 
and  his  frequently  omitting  to  mention  going  to 
Church  in  the  regular  routine  of  life  at  Mount  Ver- 
non does  not,  we  think,  prove  that  he  was  "By  no 
means  a  strict  Church  goer,"  especially  in  view  of 
the  conditions  existing. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  twice  within  two 
weeks  Washington  makes  record  of  having  stood 
as  Sponsor  at  the  baptism  of  infants.  According  to 
the  best  evidence  we  have  he  was  a  regular  Com- 
municant during  the  period  under  discussion.  In 
1770  and  in  1772  he  mentions  being  at  Church  on 
Christmas  day,  which  was  always  a  Communion 
occasion. 

142 


The  Disestablishment  of  the  Church  in 
Virginia 

To  one  of  the  old  Vestrymen  of  Truro  has  been 
accorded  by  universal  acclaim  the  title  of  Father 
of  his  Country,  chiefly  because  of  his  pre-emi- 
nent leadership  in  her  struggle  for  Independence. 
To  another  of  these  Vestrymen  belongs  the  title 
of  the  Father  of  Religious  Liberty.  It  is  to 
George  Mason  that  religion  in  America  is  indebted 
for  the  first  clear  and  certain  note  proclaiming  her 
right  to  be  free,  proceeding  not  from  the  bias  of 
the  partisan  but  from  the  wisdom  of  profound 
statesmanship.  To  him,  too,  more  than  to  any 
other,  the  Church  in  Virginia  owes  her  emancipa- 
tion from  the  bonds  of  her  vassalage  to  the  State; 
bonds  which  had  been  her  support  once,  and  on 
which  she  still  leaned  with  a  woeful  persistency, 
but  which  had  almost  crushed  out  her  very  life. 
From  the  dawn  of  American  independence  Mason 
saw  not  only  the  political  necessity  and  the  inher- 
ent justice  of  the  complete  separation  of  the 
Church  from  the  State,  but  must  have  recognized 
also,  wath  many  others,  that  the  existence  of  the 
Church  of  which  he  was  a  devoted  adherent  would 
ultimately  depend  upon  her  being  freed  from  her 

143 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

political  dependence  and  forced  to  rely  upon  the 
voluntary  and  intelligent  support  of  her  own  chil- 
dren. Having  adopted  these  views  he  pursued 
them  to  the  end  with  a  consistency  and  clearness 
of  vision  which  was  rare  among  his  contem- 
poraries. 

The  various  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  by 
which  the  complete  disestabhshment  of  the  Church 
was  brought  about  were  the  following. 

On  the  1 2th  of  June,  1776,  the  State  Conven- 
tion, composed  almost  wholly  of  Churchmen, 
adopted  without  a  dissenting  voice,  that  famous 
''Declaration  of  Rights"  which  declared  in  its  con- 
cluding article  "That  religion,  or  the  duty  which 
we  owe  to  our  CREATOR,  and  the  manner  of  dis- 
charging it,  can  be  directed  only  by  reason  and 
conviction,  not  by  force  or  violence,  and  therefore 
all  men  are  equally  entitled  to  the  free  exercise  of 
religion,  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience; 
and  that  it  is  the  mutual  duty  of  all  to  practice 
Christian  forbearance,  love,  and  charity,  towards 
each  other."  This  "Bill  of  Rights,"  as  it  is  usually 
called,  was  from  the  pen  of  Mason,  and  while  it 
is  quite  possible  that  some  in  the  Convention 
failed  to  perceive  its  full  significance,  it  led,  as  it 
w^as  mean  to  lead,  to  the  withdrawal  by  the  State 
of  all  support  or  supervision  of  religion. 

The  first  General  Assembly  of  the  Common- 
wealth under  the  new  Constitution  met  in  Octo- 
ber,  1776.     Among  its  earHest  Acts  was  the  one 

144 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

entitled,  '^^.n  Act  for  exempting  the  different  so- 
cieties of  Dissenters  from  contributing  to  the  sup- 
port and  maintenance  of  the  church  as  by  law  es- 
tablished, and  its  ministers,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses therein  mentioned."  Mason  was  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  which  brought  in  this  Act,  and 
it  is  supposed  to  have  been  written  by  his  own 
hand.  The  Act  is  very  long,  almost  every  section 
having  its  own  explanatory  preamble.  The  first 
section  repeals  within  this  Commonwealth  all  Acts 
of  Parliament  directed  against  dissent  or  dissent- 
ers. The  second  exempts  all  dissenters  from  the 
established  Church  from  all  levies,  taxes,  and  im- 
positions whatever  towards  supporting  and  main- 
taining the  said  Church  or  its  ministers.  The 
Vestries,  however,  could  still  levy  on  all  tithables 
for  arrears  in  the  salaries  of  ministers,  for  paro- 
chial engagements  already  entered  into,  and  for 
the  poor.  Section  four  contains  this  important 
provision :  ''That  there  shall  in  all  time  coming  be 
saved  and  reserved  to  the  use  of  the  Church  as  by 
law  established  the  several  tracts  of  Glebe  lands 
already  purchased,  the  churches  and  chapels  al- 
ready built, — all  books,  plate,  and  ornaments,  be- 
longing or  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  said 
church,"  and  to  each  parish  all  private  donations 
which  may  have  been  made  to  it.  The  next  sec- 
tions reserve  for  future  determination,  when  the 
opinion  of  the  country  shall  be  better  known,  the 
question   whether  the   support   of  ministers   and 

145 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

teachers  of  the  gospel  of  the  different  denomina- 
tions shall  be  provided  for  by  a  general  assessment 
or  be  left  to  voluntary  contributions.  And  be- 
cause the  support  of  the  clergy  might  fall  too  heav- 
ily on  the  members  of  the  established  Church  in 
some  parishes  under  the  exemptions  allowed  dis- 
senters, they  were  left  to  be  supported  for  the 
present  by  voluntary  contributions,  and  all  acts  for 
the  support  of  the  clergy  by  levies  were  suspended 
until  the  end  of  the  next  session  of  the  Assembly. 
The  remaining  sections  provide  for  taking  Usts  of 
tithables. 

The  act  for  the  support  of  the  clergy  continued 
to  be  suspended  from  time  to  time  by  the  Assem- 
bly until  the  session  of  October,  1779,  when  so 
much  of  that  act,  and  of  every  other  act,  as  pro- 
vided for  salaries  for  the  ministers  of  the  Church 
of  England,  and  authorizing  levies  for  the  same, 
was  finally  repealed. 

The  question  between  assessments  and  volun- 
tary contributions  was,  hoAvever,  still  undecided. 
During  the  session  of  Assembly  beginning  Octo- 
ber, 1784,  a  measure  was  introduced  known  as  the 
Assessment  Bill,  providing  for  the  legal  support  of 
ministers  and  teachers  of  religion  of  all  denomina- 
tions by  a  general  assessment  upon  the  people  of 
the  State.  It  was  supported  by  Edmund  Ran- 
dolph, Patrick  Henry,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  John 
Page,  Edmund  Pendleton  and  others,  while  a  de- 
termined opposition  was  led  by  James  Madison. 

146 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

When  the  measure  was  about  to  pass  Madison  suc- 
ceeded in  having  the  final  vote  deferred  until  the 
next  session.  In  the  meantime,  at  the  urgent  sug- 
gestion of  Mason,  Nicholas  and  others,  he  pre- 
pared the  famous  "Memorial  and  Remonstrance" 
which  was  printed  and  circulated  broadcast  for  sig- 
natures. Of  these  it  received  so  many  that  at  the 
following  session  of  the  .Vssembly  the  bill  was 
readily  defeated,  and  the  principle  of  the  support 
of  religion  by  voluntary  contributions  was  tacitly 
adopted. 

Mason  was  active  in  circulating  the  Remon- 
strance, and  among  others  he  sent  a  copy  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  his  late  fellow  Vestryman. 
AVashington  wrote  him  in  reply  from  Mount  Ver- 
non, Oct.  3rd,  1785:  "Although  no  mans  senti- 
ments are  more  opposed  to  any  kind  of  restraint 
upon  religious  principles  than  mine  are,  yet  I  must 
confess  that  I  am  not  amongst  the  number  of 
those  who  are  so  much  alarmed  at  the  thought  of 
making  people  pay  tow^ard  the  support  of  that 
which  they  profess,  if  of  the  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians, or  declare  themselves  Jews,  Mohammedons, 
or  otherwise,  and  thereby  obtain  proper  rehef." 
But  he  thought  the  bill  unfortunate  at  that  time, 
and  that  it  would  be  impolitic  to  make  it  a  law. 

The  fight  over  this  measure  was  one  of  the  most 
strenuous  and  persistent  that  had  ever  engaged 
the  Virginia  Legislature.  That  it  should  have 
been  advocated  by  so  many  great  Statesmen  and 

147 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

devoted  Clnirchmen  is  a  surprise  to  us  at  this 
day.  The  tradition  and  custom  of  many  centuries 
was  hard  to  be  overcome,  and  the  maintenance  of 
relip^ion  without  tlie  sanction  and  support  of  the 
government  in  some  form  was  to  them  an  untried 
experiment,  and  of  very  doubtful  success.  Their 
opportunism  was  the  child  of  their  fears  for  re- 
lii2:ion  and  the  Church. 

But  the  public  sentiment  manifested  in  the  re- 
sponse to  the  Remonstrance  paved  the  way  for 
the  adoption  of  the  Statute  of  Religious  Freedom, 
inspired  by  Mason,  written  by  Jefferson,  and 
passed  through  the  efforts  of  Madison.  This  bill 
had  been  reported  in  1779  by  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed in  1776  for  the  revisal  of  the  laws,  con- 
sisting of  Thomas  Jefferson,  George  Wythe, 
George  Mason,  Edmund  Pendleton,  and  Thomas 
Ludwell  Lee,  all  of  them  old  Vestrymen  of  the 
Church.  Mr.  Mason  resigned  from  the  Commit- 
tee on  the  ground  that  he  was  no  lawyer,  and  Mr. 
Lee  died,  before  the  report  was  made,  but  not  un- 
til the  plan  of  the  work  was  settled  and  in  a  consid- 
erable degree  carried  into  execution.  This  act, 
however,  was  not  passed  until  1785.  The  kernel 
of  this  famous  bill,  the  ''first  act  of  religious  free- 
dom that  ever  passed  a  legislative  assembly  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,"  is  contained  in  the  words, — 
'That  no  man  shall  be  compelled  to  frequent  or 
support  any  religious  worship,  place,  or  ministry 
whatsoever, — but  that  all  men  shall  be  free  to  pro- 

148 


T[[[i   lIlSrOKV   (JF  TRURU  i'ARlSII 

fess,  and  by  argument  to  maintain,  their  opinion 
in  matters  of  religion,"  &c. 

The  real  disestablishment  of  the  Church  had  oc- 
curred a  year  before  in  the"Act  for  Incorporating 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church."  This  was 
passed  in  response  to  a  petition  of  the  Clergy,  who, 
it  would  appear,  desired  to  be  themselves  incor- 
porated. But  the  Assembly  would  have  none  of 
this,  and  formed  the  minister  and  Vestry  of  each 
parish  respectively  a  body  corporate  and  politic, 
empowered  to  hold,  acquire,  and  dispose  of  prop- 
erty for  the  use  of  the  Church,  and  to  make  rules 
and  orders  for  managing  its  temporal  affairs.  All 
present  vestries  were  dissolved,  and  the  method 
of  electing  the  Vestries  every  three  years  is  pre- 
scribed. All  former  acts  relating  to  the  powers  or 
duties  of  vestries  or  ministers,  and  all  acts  touch- 
ing upon  doctrine,  discipline,  or  forms  of  worship 
arc  repealed.  The  vestries  were  authorized  to  reg- 
ulate all  the  religious  affairs  of  the  Church  in  Con- 
vention, to  consist  of  two  deputies  from  each  par- 
ish, of  whom  the  minister,  if  there  was  a  minister, 
should  be  one.  This  Act  was  repealed  two  years 
later,  but  not  until  under  its  sanction  the  first  Con- 
vention of  the  Church  met,  and  the  Diocese  of 
Virginia  was  organized,  May  iSth,  1785. 

So  far  the  legislation  affecting  the  Church  had 
been  guided,  and  in  large  part  induced,  by  Her 
own  sons,  nourished  at  her  side.  Of  that  which 
followed  another  story  might  be  told.    The  repeal, 

149 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

in  1/99,  o^  ^11  1^^^'S  relating  to  ''the  late  protestant 
episcopal  church,"  (sic),  the  Act  of  1802  confiscat- 
ing the  glebes,  solemnly  saved  and  reserved  for 
the  use  of  the  said  Church  by  two  previous  Acts  of 
the  Assembly,  and  claiming  the  right,  though  for- 
bearing to  exercise  it,  of  confiscating  the  church 
buildings  also,  and  the  persistent  refusal  through 
many  years  to  allow  the  Church  to  hold  charitable 
funds  or  secure  incorporation  for  her  educational 
institutions;  these  show  an  animus  which  we  re- 
joice to  believe  has  almost  disappeared,  giving 
way  to  the  sw^eeter  claims  of  reason  and  charity. 


i;o 


Later  History  of  Pohick  Church 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Diocese  of  Vir- 
ginia in  the  year  1785  no  representative  appears 
in  the  Convention  from  Truro  Parish,  nor  does 
the  name  of  the  Parish  appear  on  the  Convention 
journals  for  more  than  half  a  century  except  once 
in  a  Ust  of  the  parishes  as  divided  into  Presbyterial 
Districts.  What  occasional  services,  if  any,  were 
held  in  Pohick  Church  after  the  death  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  O'Neill  in  181 3  we  know  not,  until  the  si- 
lence is  broken  in  1838  by  Bishop  Meade  in  the 
report  to  the  Convention  from  which  extracts 
have  already  been  given  by  Dr.  Slaughter.  To 
the  same  Convention  the  Rev.  William  P.  C.  John- 
son reports,  as  Rector  of  Pohick  Church,  Truro 
Parish, — "It  has  been  nearly  two  years  since  the 
minister  of  this  Parish  first  commenced  regular 
services  in  a  Church,  which,  for  a  number  of  years, 
has  resounded  the  echoes  of  the  beasts  of  the  field, 
instead  of  the  prayers  and  praises  of  rational  crea- 
tures. Owing  to  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the 
Parish  Church  his  services  have  hitherto  been  only 
occasional.  An  effort  is  now  being  made  to  re- 
store this  Church  to  a  comfortable  condition,  and 
the  hope  is  entertained  that  ultimate  good  may 

151 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

result  from  religious  services  in  this  hitherto 
moral  waste  of  the  Lord's  vineyard."  In  1841 
he  makes  his  last  report,  and  adds  'The  minister 
of  Truro  Parish  respectfully  reports  that  the  ven- 
erable Church  edifice  in  which  he  officiates  has 
been  rescued  from  further  decay  and  dilapida- 
tion." He  makes  no  mention  of  the  number  of 
Communicants,  but  during  the  four  years  of  his 
ministry  there  he  baptized  four  white  and  eighteen 
colored  infants,  and  oi^ciated  at  eight  marriages 
and  four  burials.  He  rendered  occasional  services 
at  old  Aquia  Church  in  Stafford  County  and  in  the 
old  Court  House  at  Dumfries  in  Prince  William. 
He  was  also  employed  as  a  tutor  for  the  children 
of  the  last  Mrs.  George  Mason,  of  Gunston  Hall. 

After  Mr.  Johnson's  retirement  the  Church  was 
sometimes  opened  for  Divine  service  by  Students 
from  the  Theological  Seminary,  with  perhaps  oc- 
casional visits  from  the  Professors.  The  Metho- 
dists also  preached  there  from  time  to  time.  In 
1 86 1  the  Rev.  R.  T.  Brown,  of  Fairfax  C.  H.  re- 
ported that  he  had  ''Also  taken  charge  of  Pohick 
Church,  near  Mount  Vernon,  with  fair  prospects 
of  success."  But  the  outbreak  of  war  made  his 
ministry  there  a  short  one. 

When  the  war  was  over  it  was  found  that  Pohick 
had  fared  comparatively  well,  for  there  was  left  of 
it  the  walls,  the  roof  and  the  ceiling.  Of  the  in- 
terior woodwork  there  also  remained  the  original 
cornice,  while  the  stone  font  was  afterwards  d\si- 

152 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

covered  in  a  neighboring  farmyard  where  it  had 
been  used  as  a  watering  trough.  Of  its  rehabiU- 
tation  and  consecration  Bishop  Johns  wrote  a  few 
months  before  his  death : — 

"October  3d.  1875.  I  consecrated  Pohick 
Church.  Morning  service  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pack- 
ard and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mcllhenny.  Sermon  by  my- 
self. This  venerable  building,  in  the  location  and 
erection  of  which  General  Washington  was  so  ac- 
tive, was  for  many  years  the  Parish  Church  of  the 
family  at  Mount  Vernon.  It  w^as  during  the  late 
war  shamefully  damaged  by  its  military  invaders, 
who  left  it  to  crumble  under  the  wasting  influences 
of  the  weather,  and  to  be  carried  off  at  pleasure 
by  any  one  who  fancied  its  material  for  private 
use.  So,  after  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  disap- 
peared the  church  in  which  the  ''Father  of  his 
Country"  was  said  to  have  been  christened,  and 
such  seemed  to  be  the  doom  of  the  church  of  his 
manhood,  but  its  sad  condition  came  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  a  generous  Christian  gentleman  of  New 
York,  who  enquired,  then  came  and  looked,  and 
then  never  intermitted  his  efforts  till  the  ruin  was 
thoroughly  repaired.  A  new  chancel  with  all  its 
appropriate  furniture  and  a  handsome  communion 
service  was  provided,  a  font  in  front  and  a  con- 
venient robing  room  on  one  side  of  the  chancel 
and  a  good  pipe  organ  on  the  other.  The  restora- 
tion was  complete,  and  the  large  congregation 
now  assembled  were  gladdened  by  the  presence 

153 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  the  benefactor  to  whose  sympathy  and  services 
they  were  so  largely  indebted,  and  who  was  now 
with  them  uniting  in  the  consecration  of  the  ven- 
erable building  which  he  had  been  the  honored 
agent  in  rescuing  from  ruin  and  preserving  for 
their  great  benefit  and  the  honour  and  worship  of 
God.  Until  an  ordained  minister  can  be  procured 
to  officiate  regularly  for  this  congregation  stated 
services  will  be  rendered  by  students  of  the  Semi- 
nary appointed  for  the  purpose." 

In  September,  1881,  the  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Wallis, 
newly  ordained,  took  charge  of  Pohick,  and  from 
this  moment  the  real  revival  of  its  life  began.  He 
found  but  ten  Communicants.  But  his  faithful 
work  among  the  people  of  a  widely  scattered  com- 
munity soon  resulted  in  gathering  a  large  and  in- 
terested congregation,  to  whom  he  ministered  for 
thirteen  years.  A  rectory  was  secured  and  other 
parish  property  added,  and  the  active  interest  of 
the  Mount  Vernon  Ladies'  Association  was  en- 
listed in  the  church.  Mr.  Wallis  resigned  in  1894. 
Bishop  Newton  thus  speaks  of  his  ministry  there: 
"The  history  of  old  Pohick  Church  for  the  past 
thirteen  years,  its  resuscitation  and  progress, 
speaks  with  no  uncertain  sound  in  favor  of  a  long 
and  faithful  pastorate.  When  Rev.  S.  A.  Wallis 
entered  upon  the  work  as  a  Deacon  it  was  one  of 
the  least  promising  fields  in  the  Diocese.  He  left 
it,  when  elected  a  Professor  in  the  Theological 
Seminary,  with  the  church  building  in  good  con- 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

dition,  a  comfortable  rectory,  and  the  number  of 
Communicants  increased  tenfold.  The  Sunday 
School  of  nearly  one  hundred  scholars  presented 
a  most  cheering  outlook  for  the  future." 

Mr.  Wallis  continued  his  oversight  of  the  con- 
gregation until  the  Rev.  Henry  F.  Kloman  took 
charge  in  the  summer  of  1895.  He  remained  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded  in  October,  1897,  by  the 
Rev.  Everard  Meade,  the  present  beloved  Rector. 
Under  him  the  work,  which  has  long  been  in  con- 
templation, of  a  real  restoration  of  the  interior  of 
the  Church  to  its  original  appearance  and  beauty, 
has  progressed  and  is  in  large  part  completed.  The 
chancel,  pulpit  and  the  principal  pews  are  now  re- 
produced as  exactly  as  possible  as  they  were  when 
the  Church  was  received  by  the  Vestry  from  the 
hands  of  Col.  George  Mason  in  1774.  The  pews 
in  the  rear  of  the  building  alone  remain  to  be  re- 
stored. In  this  work  the  Rector  and  Vestry  have 
been  generously  aided  by  the  Mount  Vernon  As- 
sociation, the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, and  other  patriotic  and  antiquarian  societies, 
as  well  as  by  individuals  who  have  been  interested 
in  preserving  the  sacred  memories  which  cluster 
around  this  sturdy  old  temple  of  God.  The  re- 
opening of  the  Church  after  its  restoration  took 
place  on  Advent  Sunday,  1906;  the  sermon  being 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr..  S.  A.  Wallis. 

Since  the  year  1873  the  following  gentlemen,  in 
order  of  their  election,  have  served  on  the  Vestry 

155 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  Pohick  Church :  R.  G.  Nevitt,  T.  F.  Chapman, 
Charles  Landstreet,  Charles  Potter,  J.  H.  Clag- 
gett,  J.  M.  Lewis,  Dr.  N.  B.  Nevitt,  Seth  Kurhling, 
W.  R.  Ward,  A.  C.  Landstreet,  James  Haslip, 
George  Erskine,  John  Theisz,  John  K.  Nevitt, 
Harrison  H.  Dodge,  John  Landstreet,  Joseph 
Specht,  L.  G.  Reid,  Wm.  M.  Nevitt,  R.  W.  Gail- 
lard,  J.  P.  H.  Mason,  Corbin  Thompson,  L.  A. 
Denty,  George  N.  Milstead,  B.  F.  Nevitt,  Dr.  W. 
P.  Caton. 

The  present  Vestry  consists  of  Messrs..  Thomas 
F.  Chapman,  WiUiam  M.  Nevitt,  John  Landstreet, 
N.  B.  Nevitt,  M.  D.,  W.  P.  Caton,  M.  D.,  J.  P.  H. 
Mason,  Harrison  H.  Dodge,  George  N.  Milstead, 
B.  F.  Nevitt,  Corbin  Thompson,  L.  A.  Denty,  and 
Luther  G.  Reid. 

Olivet  Church;  Truro  Parish.  A  Chapel 
bearing  this  name  was  for  many  years  a  Mis- 
sion station  in  charge  of  the  students  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia.  This  was  de- 
stroyed during  the  war.  A  second  Chapel  was 
built  on  the  same  site,  and  was  consecrated  by 
Bishop  Johns,  June  2d,  1872.  Twenty  years  later 
the  present  Church  was  built  on  a  different  and 
better  site,  and  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  F.  M. 
Whittle,  April  4th,  1898.  Olivet  became  con- 
nected with  Pohick  in  1881,  when  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wallis  took  charge  of  them,  and  has  since  re- 
mained under  the  care  of  the  Rector  an^  Vestry 

156 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

of  Pohick  Church.     It  is  situated  near  Franconia 
Station. 

Pohick  Chapel.  This  is  a  small  Chapel, 
situated  about  four  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of 
Pohick  Church,  to  which  it  belongs.  It  was  built 
in  1903  through  the  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Everard 
Meade,  and  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  R.  A.  Gib- 
son on  October  12th  of  that  year. 


157 


ZioN  Church,  Truro  Parish 

This  Church,  at  the  county  seat  of  Fairfax 
County,  was  founded  in  the  year  1843  by  the  Rev. 
Richard  Templeton  Brown.  Mr.  Brown  was  at 
that  time  Rector  of  the  Falls  Church.  In  his  re- 
port from  that  Church  to  the  Diocesan  Council 
of  1843  he  makes  the  following  note: 

"Fairfax  court-house.  On  the  8th  of  February 
last  we  had  the  pleasure  of  organizing  a  new  con- 
gregation at  this  very  destitute  place,  and  prompt 
measures  were  adopted  for  the  immediate  erection 
of  a  plain  and  substantial  Church.  The  edifice  has 
been  commenced,  and,  if  not  entirely  finished,  will 
be  used  during  the  present  year.  Some  of  the 
most  influential  citizens  of  the  place  and  neighbor- 
hood are  interested  in  the  work;  the  ladies  also 
are  zealously  engaged;  and  we  trust  that,  by  the 
blessings  of  God,  the  Church  at  this  place  will  ex- 
ert a  wide  and  purifying  influence.  Communicants 
5.  Families  who  will  be  regularly  connected  with 
the  Church,  about  12."  The  services  were  at  first 
held  in  the  Court  House,  but  when  for  some 
reason  its  use  was  forbidden  Mrs.  Daniel  Rumsey 
of  *'Mount  Vinyard,"  a  Baptist  lady,  declared  that 
she  "could  not  see  the  Ark  of  the  Lord  refused  a 

158 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

shelter,"  and  offered  her  parlor  in  which  the  con- 
gregation met  until  the  Church  was  completed. 
She  was  the  mother  of  Mr.  William  T.  Rumsey, 
who  gave  the  lot  for  the  Church  and  was  one  of 
its  first  Vestrymen.  Mr.  Brown  removed  from  the 
field  during  the  following  year,  and  was  succeeded 
in  a  few  months  by  the  Rev.  William  F.  Lock- 
wood,  who  at  first  combined  the  work  with  that  of 
St.  Stephen's  Church,  Fauquier,  but  afterwards  re- 
signed the  latter  and  took  charge  of  the  Falls 
Church.  The  Church  was  completed,  and  was 
consecrated  by  the  Right  Rev.  William  Meade,  D. 
D.,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1845,  under  the  name  of 
Zion  Church.  It  was  a  frame  building,  of  the 
same  size  as  the  present  Church,  and  was  the  first 
Church  of  any  kind  erected  in  the  village.  At  this 
time  there  were  14  Communicants.  Mr.  Lock- 
wood  remained  as  Rector  until  1852  or  1853,  when 
he  removed  to  Maryland.  Under  his  ministry  St. 
John's  Church,  Centerville,  was  built,  and  was  con- 
secrated bv  Bishop  John  Johns,  D.  D.,  July  14th, 
1851. 

Occasional  services  were  held  by  the  Professors 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  until  the  Rev.  R.  T. 
Brown  returned  to  his  old  charge  in  1855,  and  re- 
mained Rector  of  Zion  Church,  in  connection  wdth 
the  Falls  and  St.  John's,  until  he  and  the  greater 
part  of  his  congregation  were  forced  to  flee  from 
their  homes  in  1861,  when  Fairfax  became  in- 
volved in  the  maelstrom  of  war.    Four  years  later, 

159 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

when  the  people  returned  to  their  desolated 
homes,  they  found  only  the  foundation  of  their 
Church  remaining.  It  had  shared  the  fate  of  per- 
haps a  majority  of  the  country  churches  in  that 
beautiful  section,  where  they  "Made  a  solitude  and 
called  it  peace."  Early  in  the  conflict  it  had  been 
used  as  a  storehouse  for  the  munitions  of  war,  and 
rapidly  becoming  dilapidated  it  had  been  finally 
torn  down  by  Union  soldiers  to  provide  material 
for  their  winter  quarters  on  a  neighboring  hillside. 
There  was  no  minister  until  February,  1867, 
when  the  Rev.  W.  A.  Alrich  was  ordained  to  the 
diaconate  and  sent  to  undertake  the  work  of  re- 
suscitating the  Church  at  this  point,  in  connection 
with  Centerviile,  and  Haymarket  in  Prince  Wil- 
liam County.  He  found  18  Communicants.  Ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  Court  House.  He  reported, 
however,  ''A  deep  interest  manifested  in  religious 
matters,  and  a  willingness  to  make  every  sacrifice 
for  the  sake  of  the  Master  and  his  cause.  The 
people,  in  their  impoverished  condition,  are 
now  making  an  earnest  effort  to  rebuild  their 
Churches."  On  December  13th,  1868,  Bishop 
Whittle  visited  the  congregation  and  confirmed 
fourteen  persons  in  the  Court  House.  He  re- 
ported the  new  Church  as  being  under  roof,  but 
its  completion  delayed  for  want  of  funds,  and  adds, 
'T  think  there  is  no  congregation  in  the  Diocese 
more  deserving  of  help  than  this,  where  the  peo- 
ple have  shown  such  a  determination  to  help  them- 

160 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

selves."  Mr.  Alrich  resigned,  and  was  succeeded 
in  June,  1869,  by  the  Rev.  William  M.  Dame,  who 
remained  during  the  year  of  his  diaconate.  The 
Rev.  D.  Hanson  Boyden  succeeded  him  in  the 
summer  of  1870,  and  gave  the  whole  of  his  short 
ministry  of  fifteen  months  to  this  Parish.  He  re- 
signed on  account  of  failing  health  on  October  ist, 
1871,  and  died  less  than  three  months  later. 
Bishop  Johns  said  of  him :  "His  ministry  was  short 
and  emphatic.  The  distress  which  his  early  death 
caused  to  the  people  whom  he  served  afTords  af- 
fecting evidence  of  his  personal  worth  and  minis- 
terial fidelity  and  usefulness." 

The  Rev.  John  McGill  took  charge  during  the 
summer  of  1872.  The  second  Zion  Church  was 
now  completed,  and  being  furnished  and  freed 
from  debt  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Johns  on 
the  6th  of  December,  1875.  It  is  a  frame  build- 
ing and  was  erected  on  the  foundation  of  the  orig- 
inal Church  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000.  On  the  day 
following  its  consecration  Christ  Church  at  Chan- 
tilly  was  also  consecrated.  This,  with  the  Church 
at  Centerville,  which  was  also  rebuilt,  though 
really  in  old  Cameron  Parish,  were  supposed  to 
be  in  Truro  and  were  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
McGill.  In  1884  these  Churches,  with  that  at 
Herndon  and  the  mission  at  Clifton,  were  formed 
into  a  Parish  called  Upper  Truro. 

Mr.  McGill  resigned  April  23d,  1878,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Frank  Page  during  the  fol- 

161 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

lowing  summer.  In  the  year  1882  the  present 
Rectory  property  adjoining  the  Church  was  pur- 
chased for  $2,600.  Mr.  Page  resigned  November 
19th,  1889.  During  the  earher  part  of  his  rector- 
ship he  ministered  at  no  less  than  five  Churches, 
but  after  the  formation  of  Upper  Truro  Parish  his 
labors  were  confined  to  Zion  and  the  Falls 
Churches.  After  his  removal  the  Church  re- 
mained vacant  until  July,  1890,  when  Mr.  J.Cleve- 
land Hall,  formerly  a  Presbyterian  minister,  but 
now  a  candidate  for  orders  in  the  Episcopal 
Church,  came  as  a  Lay-Reader  and  continued  to 
officiate  as  such  until  his  ordination  to  the  Diaco- 
nate  in  June,  1891;  after  which  he  continued  as 
minister-in-charge  until  July,  1892.  During  the 
following  year  services  were  held  by  Mr.  W.  A. 
R.  Goodwin,  candidate  for  orders,  and  other  stu- 
dents from  the  Theological  Seminary.  In  the 
summer  of  1893  the  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Lewis  be- 
came the  minister,  in  connection  with  Trinity 
Church,  Manassas;  the  old  partnership  with  the 
Falls  Church  having  been  dissolved.  Mr.  Lewis 
remained  until  May,  1896,  when  failing  health 
compelled  him  to  resign.  He  w^as  followed  by  the 
Rev.  W.  H.  K.  Pendleton,  who  served  the  same 
Churches  until  early  in  1900,  when,  the  work  hav- 
ing outgrown  the  capacity  of  a  single  minister,  he 
resigned  Zion  Church  and  confined  his  labors  to 
the  neighboring  Parish.  An  alliance  was  then 
formed  with  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Comforter  at 

162 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

Vienna,  Fairfax  County,  now  McGill  Parish,  and 
after  some  months  the  Rev.  Albert  R.  Walker  be- 
came the  Rector.  He  continued  until  September, 
1902,  and  was  succeeded  in  June,  1903,  by  the 
Rev.  Henry  B.  Lee,  Jr.,  who  remained  nine 
months.  On  June  ist,  1904,  the  Rev.  Edward  L. 
Goodwin  became  Rector. 

The  destruction  of  all  the  Parish  Records  during 
the  war  of  1861  makes  it  impossible  to  give  a  list 
of  the  Vestrymen  who  served  prior  to  that  time. 
Among  the  families  who  formed  the  congregation 
of  Zion  Church  in  ante-bellum  days  were  the  Bak- 
ers, Balls,  Chichesters,  Fairfaxes,  Fitzhughs,  Fur- 
gussons,  Gunnells,  Hunters,  Mosses,  Ratclififes, 
Ronks,  Ryers,  Stuarts,  Terretts,  Towners,  Burkes, 
Coopers,  Loves,  Thomases,  &c.  The  gentlemen 
of  some  of  these  families  doubtless  formed  the  Ves- 
try of  those  days.  Since  1872  the  succession  of 
Vestrymen  has  been  as  follows :  William  T.  Rum- 
sey,  Thomas  Moore,  H.  C.  Fairfax,  Albert  Fair- 
fax, M.  D.,  O.  W.  Huntt,  W.  D.  McWhorter,  M. 
D.,  Joseph  Cooper,  James  M.  Love,  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty  Chichester,  Gen.  W.  H.  F.  Lee,  E.  D.  Fick- 
lin,  G.  Pat  Berkley,  J.  N.  Ballard,  John  Peabody, 
Upton  H.  Herbert,  Washington  ferrett,  W.  P. 
Moncure,  M.  D.,  Robert  E.  Lee,  Jr.,  S.  Thornton 
Terrett,  R.  Ewell  Thornton,  Alex.  C.  Bleight,  C. 
Vernon  Ford,  J.  Conway  Chichester,  J.  B.  Bow- 
man. R.  Walton  Moore,  Thomas  R.  Keith,  James 
P.  Machen,  Jr.,  Harry  L.  Burrows.    Of  these  Mr. 

163 


THE  HISTORY  OF  TRURO  PARISH 

O.  W.  Huntt,  Mr.  Joseph  Cooper  and  Mr.  James 
M.  Love  have  served  continuously  on  the  Vestry 
for  thirty-five  years,  equalUng  the  record  of  those 
veteran  Colonial  Vestrymen,  George  Mason  and 
Daniel  Mc.Carty.  Besides  these  the  Vestry  at 
present  consists  of  Messrs.  Moncure  M.  D.,  R.  E. 
Lee,  Thornton,  Bleight,  R.  W.  Moore,  Keith,  and 
Burrows. 

Chapel  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Truro  Par- 
ish. This  Chapel,  situated  one  and  a  half  miles 
north  of  Burke's  Station,  grew  out  of  Sunday 
School  founded  at  Ashford  school  house  many 
years  ago  by  the  Misses  Fitzhugh  and  others, 
and  continued  chiefly  by  Mrs.  Upton  H.  Her- 
bert, under  the  Rectorship  of  the  Rev.  Frank 
Page.  By  the  earnest  efforts  of  Mrs.  Herbert,  be- 
gan in  1882  and  continued  through  more  than  a 
decade  of  years,  the  means  were  collected  and  the 
Chapel  built.  It  was  consecrated  bv  Bishop  John 
B.  Newton,  December  ist,  1896.  The  Rev.  S.  A. 
Wallis,  of  Pohick  Church,  held  services  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  the  school  house  and  afterward  in 
the  new  building.  Since  1894  it  has  been  under 
the  charge  of  the  Rector  and  Vestry  of  Zion 
Church. 


164 


INDEX 


NOTE:  For  many  Proper  Names  not  found  in  the 
Index  see  under  Lists  of  Vestrymen,  Processioners,  Voters, 
etc.,  and  throughout  the  book. 


Acts  of  General  Assembly, 
2,  17,  22,  26,  28,  38,  40. 

Adams,  Gabriel,  4. 

Alexandria,  30.  First  Church 
in,  30.  Christ  Church, 
47,  97. 

Alrich,  Rev.  W.  A.,  160. 

Andrews,  Rev.  John,  48. 

Ashford,  Michael,  5. 

Assessment  Bill,  146. 

Attorneys  for  Parish,  32,  49, 
64. 

Aubrey,  Francis,  4. 

Barnes,  Abraham,  27. 

Barry,  Edward,  4.    John,  49. 

Baxter,  James,   7. 

Bill  of  Rights,  144. 

Blackburn,  Richard,  6.  Fam- 
ily, 103. 

Blumfield,  Rev.   Joseph,   15. 

Boggess,  Robert,  21. 

Books,  Ornaments,  &c.  for 
Churches,  15,  62,  67,  88. 

Boyden,  Rev.  D.  H.,  161. 

Braddock's  Road,  23. 

Broadwater,  Charles,  4,  27ff. 

Bronaugh,  Jeremiah,  4ff. 

Brown,  Rev.  R.  T.,  158. 

Burgesses  from  Fairfax, 
List  of,  126. 

Cameron  Parish,  22,  26, 
161.     Churches  in,  22,  24. 

Champneys,   William,   25. 

Chapel  Above  Goose  Creek, 
5. 

Church,    The    Colonial,    in 


Virginia,  Introduction.  De- 
cay of,  96.  Disestablish- 
ment of,   143. 

Church  Plate,  15,  61,  69, 
145. 

Church  Wardens,  Duties  of, 
16,  78.  List  of,  120.  Be- 
come Overseers  of  the 
Poor,  93. 

Clerks  and  Lay  Readers, 
List  of,  123. 

Clerks  of  the  Vestry,  List 
of,  123. 

Cockburn,  Martin,  78,  116. 

Coffer,  Franc-fis,  92.  Thos. 
Withers,  44ff.  Family, 
118. 

Cocke,  Catesby,  9,  16. 

Colchester,   31. 

Colville,  Col.  John,  7ff.,  127. 

Contracts  for  Church  Build- 
ings, 51,  73. 

Dame,  Rev.  W.   M.,  161. 

De  Butts,  Rev.  Lawrence,  5. 

^Delegates  to  State  Conven- 
tion, 1775-6,  126. 

Deneale,  William,  94. 

Diocese  of  Virginia  Organ- 
ized,  149. 

Dranesville,  Church  near, 
24. 

Ellzey,  Lewis,  21,  127.  Thom- 
azen,  44ff. 

Emms,  Edward,  4ff. 

Fairfax  County  formed,  17. 
Boundaries  changed,  26. 


INDEX 


Fairfax    Court    House,     17, 

158. 
Fairfax  Parish,  36.     Contest 

over  lines,  39.     Final  Act 

establishing,  40.    Vestries 

elected,  44-5. 
Fairfax,     George     William, 

33ff,  127. 

Lord  Thomas,  1,  10. 

William,  32-3,  127. 
Falls   Church,   The  first,  or 

William  Gunnell's,  5.  The 

second.         or         "Upper" 

Church,    6ff.       The    third, 

or  present  Church,  34ff. 
Farguson,  John,  7. 
Front  in  Pohick  Church,  84, 

152. 
Forbes,  Murray,  108. 
Ford,    Edward,    92.      John, 

44,  Thomas,  44ff. 
Ford,  Paul  Leicester,  quoted, 

6.     137. 
French,   Daniel,  21,  70ff. 
Gardner,   William,   44ff. 
Gibson,  John,  95. 
Glebe,  8,  12,  28,  29,  31,  61. 
Glebes,  Confiscation  of,  150. 
Godfrey,  William,  4. 
Gold  Leaf  given  by  Wash- 
ington and  Fairfax,  81,  90. 
Good    Shepherd,    Chapel    of 

the,  164. 
Goodwin,  Rev.  E.  L.,  163. 
Grayson,   William,  64.     113. 
Green,     Rev.     Charles,     10. 

First  Rector,  13ff.,  141. 
Gunnell's,  William,  Church, 

5. 
Hall,  Rev.  C,  162. 
Hamilton,  James,  27.     127. 
Hamilton  Parish,  2. 
Henderson,  Alexander,  44ff., 

108.     Family,  109. 


Herbert,  Mrs.  U.  H.,  164. 
Hereford,  John,  4ff. 
Holmes,  Rev.  John,  11. 
Holy  Communion,  Elements 

for,  34,  66. 
Hutchinson,  Andrew,  21ff. 
Induction,  Right  of,  57. 
Johnson,    Joseph,    7. 
Johnson,    Rev.    W.     P.     C, 

106. 
Johnston,     George,    38,     49, 

115. 
Keith,  Rev.  James,  12. 
Kloman,  Rev.  H.  F.,  155. 
Lee,  Rev.  H.  B.,  Jr.,  163. 
Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  his  pew  in 

Christ  Church,  Alexandria, 

96. 
Letters  of  Recommendation 

and    Presentation,   10,   13, 

55,  56,  59. 
Lewis,  John,   4.     Lawrence, 

111.     Mrs.    Nellie    Custis, 
100.     112.     Thomas,  7.  Rev. 

Thomas  D.,  162. 
Linton,  William,  44ff. 
Littlejohn,    Samuel,    47. 
Lackwood,  Rev.  William  F., 

159. 
London,  Bishop  of,  8, 10,  54. 
Loudoun  County  formed,  26. 
Mandamus    served    on   Ves- 
try, 25. 
Mason,    George,   Vestryman 

and  Church  Warden,  27ff. 

Opposes  change  of  site  of 

Pohick,      64.       Completes 

Church     building,      84-85. 

His    pews    in,    87.       Long 

service  on  the  Vestry,  95- 

96.     Father     of    religious 

liberty,  143. 
Massey,  Rev.  Lee.     Letters 

in    favor    of,    55.     Second 


INDEX 


Rector,  59ff.  Retirement, 
93.  Testimony  of,  as  to 
Washington's  attendance 
at  Church,  137.  Charac- 
ter, 138. 

McCarty,  Daniel,  27ff.  Long 
service  as  Vestryman,  95. 
Daniel,  Jr.,  94.  Dennis,  4. 

McGill,  Rev.  John,  161. 

McGill  Parish,  3,  163. 

Meade,  Rev.  Everard,  155. 

Meade,  Bishop  William, 
quoted,  21,  63,  100,  104. 

Minister,  effort  to  obtain 
from  England,  9. 

Minor,   John,   21. 

Moore,  Cleon,  94,  116. 

Mount  Vernon,  41,  112. 

Northern  Neck  of  Virginia, 
1. 

Occoquan  Church,  5. 

Olivet  Church,  156. 

O'Neill,  Rev.  Charles,  102. 

Orphans  bound  to  trades,  16. 

Osborne,   Richard,  4ff. 

Overseers  of  the  Poor,  93. 
List  of,  124. 

Overwharton  Parish,  5. 

Page,  Rev.   Frank,  161. 

Parish  Levies,  9,  15,  49,  65. 
Vestrymen  not  to  collect, 
77.  For  support  of  the 
church  abolished,  93,  146. 

Parishes  formed  from 
Truro,  3. 

Payne,  Edward,  44ff.  Wil- 
liam, 27. 

Paynes  Church,  50.  Con- 
tract for  building,  51. 
Later  history  and  destruc- 
tion of,  68. 

Peake,  William,  7ff. 

Pendleton,  Rev.  W.  H.  K., 
162. 


Pews,  assigned  according 
to  rank,  14,  27,  87.  Sale 
of,  in  Pohick  Church.  80ff. 
In  Christ  Church  Alexan- 
dria,  97. 

Physicians  for  the  Poor,  25, 
26,  66,  93. 

Pohick  Church,  the  Old,  5, 
63.     Repairs  on,  16,  27. 

Pohick  Church,  the  present, 
63.  Discussion  as  to  site 
for,  63.  Plans  for,  70. 
Contract  for,  73.  Lot  for, 
71,  77.  Details  in  con- 
struction of,  79-90.  George 
Mason  completes  it,  84-5. 
Pews  sold,  83-5,  133.  Other 
pews  assigned,  87.  Font 
in,  84.  Books  and  orna- 
ments for,  to  be  imported 
by  Washington,  88.  Wash- 
ington's attendance  at, 
99.  Services  after  the 
Revolution,  100.  Its  de- 
cay, 104.  Efforts  at  re- 
suscitation, 106,  151.  Con- 
secration of,  153.  Restor- 
ation now  in  progress, 
155.     Vestrymen,  156. 

Pohick  Chapel,  157. 

Pollard,  Thomas,  91. 

Poor,  Provision  for  the,  11, 
16,  25,  32,  &c. 

Posey,   John,   44ff. 

Processioning  of  Lands,  18. 

Processioners  and  Pre- 
cincts, Lists  of,  18,  28,  32, 
62. 

Reagan's,  Michael,  Church 
near,  6. 

Religious  Freedom,  Mason's 
advocacy  of,  143.  Statute 
of,  148. 

Rocky  Run  Chapel,  22. 


INDEX 


Ross,  Hector,  60. 

Rumsey,  Win.  T.,  159. 

Salaries,  of  Ministers,  15, 
93,  97,  145.  Of  Clerks  and 
Readers,  9,  10,  &c. 

Scott,  Rev.  James,  45. 

Sears,  Wm.  B.,  88. 

Slaughter,  Rev.  Dr.  Philip, 
Introduction. 

Sparks,  Jared,  referred  to, 
46,  64. 

Sturman,  John,  4ff. 

Terrett,   Wm.   H.,   22. 

Tillett,  Giles,  4. 

Tithables,  10,  26,  91. 

Tobacco  as  currency,  5,  &c. 

Tobacco  House  used  as  a 
Chapel,  48. 

Trammel,  John,  9. 

Triplett,  William,  92.  Fam- 
ily, 119. 

Truro  Parish,  Genesis  of,  1. 
Old  Vestry-Book  of,  3. 
Boundaries  of,  2,  26, 
40.  Churches  in,  5,  6,  23, 
50,  63.  Division  of,  first, 
26;  second,  36-42.  Decay 
of  on  suspension  of  levies, 
93ff.  Later  history  of, 
151.  Vestrymen  of,  In- 
troduction, 44-45,  120,  156, 
163. 

Turley,  John,  27. 

Upper  Truro  Parish,  26,  161. 

Vestry   House,    27,    60,    69. 

Vestry  of  Truro,  The  first,  4. 
Dissolved  by  the  General 
Assembly,  20.  The  sec- 
ond, 21.  Third,  44.  Fourth, 
45.  Last  Meeting,  96. 
Of  present  Churches,  156, 
163. 

Vestrymen,       distinguished. 


Introduction.  Training  of, 
Ditto.  Lists  of,  4,  21,  44, 
45,  120,  156,  163.  Oaths 
and  subscriptions  of,  21. 
Long  service  of,  95,  164. 

Vestries  in  Virginia,  Intro- 
duction. Not  of  Churches 
but  of  parishes,  47.  Dis- 
solved, 149. 

Voters,  List  of,  in  1744,  128. 

Wagener,  Dr.  Peter,  78. 
Peter,  Jr.,  91.  Family,  110. 

Waite,  Thomas,  29fC. 

Wallis,  Rev.  S.  A.,  Intro- 
duction.    154. 

fWashington,  George,  Ves- 
tryman and  Church 
Warden,  34,  35ff.  Bap- 
tism, 6.  Part  taken  by, 
toward  building  Falls 
Church,  34-6.  In  division 
of  Parish,  41.  Vestryman 
in  only  one  Parish,  42. 
His  lists  of  Vestrymen 
chosen,  1765,  44-45.  On 
two  Building  Committees 
for  Churches,  51,  72.  Ex- 
tracts from  diary  of,  67, 
72,  99,  142.  Did  he  draw 
plans  for  Pohick?  70. 
Choice  of  site  for  church, 
64.  Gives  gold  leaf  for 
gilding,  81,  90.  Purchase 
of  pews  in  Pohick,  82,  87. 
Gives  bond  for  price  of, 
89.  Deed  for,  133.  Re- 
quested to  import  books 
and  hangings  for  Pohick, 
88.  His  Last  Vestry,  89. 
Regularity  of  attendance 
at  Vestry,  89.  Resigna- 
tion as  Vestryman,  95. 
Buys  pew  in  Christ 
Church,   Alexandria,    and 


I'N  D  E  X 


was  a  parishioner  there, 
96-97.  His  memorandum 
of  sale  of  pews,  97.  Bond 
for  pew  rent,  97.  Still 
attended  Pohick  when  ser- 
vices there,  99.  Regu- 
larity of  his  attendance  at 
church,  99,  137.  Distance 
from  Churches,  141. 
Stands  as  Sponsor,  142. 
Views  of,  on  Assessments 
for  support  of  Religion, 
147. 


Washington,  Augustine,  9, 
10.  Bushrod,  103.  Ed- 
ward, 15,  110.  Lawrence, 
9,  22.     Lund,  95,  110. 

Waugh,  John,  95. 

Weems,  Rev.  Mason  L.,  100. 

West,,  Hugh  ,  21ff.  John, 
21ff.  John,  Jr.,  33.  Mrs. 
Sybil,  34. 

Wren,  James,  70.  Thomas, 
27. 

Zion  Church,  Fairfax,  158. 


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